Echo Us / Echo Us

There is a burgeoning group of bands and artists who seem dedicated to breaking down the barriers between differing genres to create something that stands alone, not necessarily as a new genre unto itself, but rather to create music that is at least worth listening to. They employ a variety of techniques of production and songwriting, using a wide range of influences and styles so as not to sound contrived or derivative, coming across closer to progressive music. Of course, they don't sound like Yes, King Crimson, or any of the other so-called progressive rock bands of the '70s, but by definition, progressive music is meant to “progress,” to change, to advance. Today, with the growing use of electronic music and production, it's not unusual to see a multitude of bands blending the spirit of those '70s bands with the modern age of synthesizers; Echo Us sound like just such a band.Echo Us presents a musical mélange of gothic atmospheric textures, electronic production, and melodic hooks not unlike those heard in pop songs. The brainchild of Ethan Matthews, the music on this self-titled debut gives the listener a plethora of styles and motifs, all coming together to make this cohesive electro-pop sound similar to that of Everpresent. Perhaps this comparison is too easy since Kai Kurosawa (a one-time collaborator of Everpresent) also makes an appearance on this album, but it is still apt. Both bands present songs that contain enough pop appeal to get stuck in your head, but enough musicality and production to make scholars give it serious study. From the shifting tempos, gothic organs, and electro-arpeggio atmospheres of the epic “Her Heart's Army / White Wednesday” to the sad ballad-esque vocals of “Dreaming,” and even to the blistering rhythms and twinkling synthesizers of “Directed Study,” Echo Us give the listener some memorable moments of musical bliss. “Who Loves You” has a Latin Salsa flavor to it, but without sacrificing the overall flow or atmosphere of the rest of the songs; therein lies the album's primary strength, to present a wide array of sounds and styles, but to maintain consistency and coherency.There is little that can be said against the music of Echo Us. While the songs do lean toward the darker, sadder side of lyrical subject matter, they are still sung and performed with enough emotion and melody to make the listener want to hear what is being sung. The combination of programmed beats and synthesizers with some truly ethereal guitar work makes for a psychedelic effect that can induce dreamlike states, occasional bouts of red-tinted rage (such as those on “I Radiate I”), and even inspire some romantic interludes (“To Save You” is a perfect song for this). The music of Echo Us projects those emotions so well; yet again it all forms a single coherent work from beginning to end. Bravo to Ethan Matthews for creating such a well-rounded album. If Matthews can stay true to the progressive spirit of his music and keep things interesting, then may future releases from Echo Us prove just as rewarding, if not more so.