Soft Targets

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EG Rocks!
All I got to say about Earl Greyhound is that they rock. Excellent "stadium music!"

Loud, crunchy music...
Earl Greyhound Soft Targets Some Records By Tony Sclafani It's not surprising when a rock band plays loud crunchy music that's steeped in blues. But it can be positively enthralling when a group cranks everything to full volume on songs with roots in pop and soul music. That approach is largely what makes the New York-based trio Earl Greyhound so original - and so much fun to listen to. Sure, they're a power trio with aggressive and progressive arrangements that bring to mind 1970s British rock. But they transcend the "power trio" description by throwing in pop hooks, 1960s-inspired riffs, and intricate vocal interplay. The reason for their originality is their lineup. Guitarist and singer Matt Whyte has a wispy, pretty boy voice straight outta power pop. But he intertwines that voice with bassist Kamara Thomas, whose soulful female vocals push the band into a realm uncharted in rock. Meanwhile, drummer Ricc Sheridan bashes through every song with superhuman energy - while being matched by Whyte's muscular guitar work. The massive sound makes the songs on Soft Targets as heavy as they are hummable. There are some obvious influences. The opener, "S.O.S.," recalls Led Zeppelin with its soulful strut. You can hear the sweet melodic flair of the later Beatles in "Good" and the manic panic of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd in "All Better Now." But Earl Greyhound often defies comparison, especially when it comes to the unique male-female vocal interplay between Whyte and Thomas. A "soft target" is defined as an unarmored mark that's waiting to be hit. Soft Targets, however, deserves to be a hit itself. Originally published in the issue 54 of Hittin' the Note.

Get Ready.....
Wow - I had to buy this CD after seeing Earl Greyhound open (twice) for Chris Cornell recently; I don't think I've EVER been as mesmorized by an "opening act" as I was by them, especially since I hadn't even heard of them before. Their CD, Soft Targets, DOES NOT disappoint - this group is simply mind-blowing, straight-on rock & roll!! A three piece band, Matt, Kamara, and Ricc, all have an equal part in the final "sound"...heavy, heavy, heavy...which is kind of unique in itself (no upstaging here), and each band member is so powerful in his/her own right, that there really is no need for any addition. When people say "next big thing," I generally just say - yeah, right - because it usually ends up being nothing more than another chord strumming group who can distinguish themselves only by what they wear, how they cut their hair (alike), or by creating the most irritating lyrics possible. Earl Greyhound distinguishes themselves with pure, unadulterated ROCK - rock like I haven't heard in decades, maybe. They aren't pretending to be something their not, which also gives their music a distinctively sexy bent. Yep, Earl Greyhound is for real, and they DESERVE to be the next big thing!!!

Make Us Monkey
The slammin' blues rock power trio lives! Earl Greyhound combine classic traditions and modern attitude for a fresh sound that is both way in and way out. Comparisons could certainly be made with the strange brews of Cream and early Led Zeppelin, but Earl Greyhound are not imitators. This bodacious debut album is a real treat for lovers of the classics and for those who are on the prowl for new sounds, and the band is overflowing with potential. Matt Whyte has a delightfully trashy guitar sound and a sneaky streak in his lyrics, while drummer Ricc Sheridan supplies an enormous groove that is half Bonham and half nuclear bomb. The band's secret weapon is surely foxy bassist Kamara Thomas, whose highlight vocals (plus one starring turn in "Yeah I Love You") really remind me of an ultragroovy 70s funk diva. The strength of the Earl Greyhound sound is introduced fully in this album's opener, "S.O.S." and further advanced in winning tracks like the high-flying "All Better Now" and the insistent "I'm the One." Some variety is evident in the jaunty "Two Weeks" and the lowdown gutbucket "Fashion." And this album's centerpiece, the eight-minute apocalypse "Monkey," jams out so monstrously that it must be heard to be believed. [~doomsdayer520~]

Amazing debut
Wow, what an amazing debut album. These guys are by far my favorite new band along with other "retro" bands like Rose Hill Drive and Wolfmother. I just recently discovered them when I saw the video for their song S.O.S. on MTV2. As soon as it was over, I jumped over to their website and listened to the entire album in their media section. I have been obsessed with the album ever since. I highly recommend them to fans of T. Rex, Led Zep, Rolling Stones, etc. Probably the coolest thing EG has going for them is the fact that they have two amazing vocalists in Matt Whyte and Kamara Thomas. While Kamara mainly provides backing vocals, her lead vocals are amazing on Yeah, I Love you and Back and Forth. I was lucky enough to see them in Philly this past weekend at a small club and they are even more amazing live. "Big" Ricc Sheridan is an absolute beast behind the kit. I have never seen a drummer actually break a cymbal on stage! Do yourselves a favor and buy this album now!