Someone Else’s Muse – Parenthetical Girls Someone Else’s Muse – Parenthetical Girls (Free Download / Buy)

Parenthetical Girls are currently working on putting out their fourth album, Privilege, and are doing so in installments. Consisting of 16 tracks total, the album is comprised of 4 song EPs that will be available digitally and on vinyl. Each record will only be printed 500 times and, as they say it, signed in the blood of a different member. Let’s hope their going for metaphor here.

While the second part, The Past, Imperfect, is currently only available as a digital download, On Death & Endearments, the first EP, can be purchased on vinyl as well. On Death & Endearments as a whole is melodic and beautiful, but at times, the songs seem to drag a bit. Prominent throughout each track, though, are quirky electro-riffs that add some color to the otherwise repetitive sounds and vocals. I do, however, enjoy the retro feel to the songs. Somehow, the combination of Zac Pennington’s vocals and simple beats make tracks like “Evenlyn McHale” sound like an update of songs made decades ago.

While the first and last song of the EP are more lethargic, the other two up-tempo tracks help to keep a stronger pace. “Someone Else’s Muse”, the second song, may be the one track that truly incorporates different sound elements throughout. There is a more defined contrast between the sweetness of the verses and the harsher vocals present in the chorus. While this may be the longest song on the EP, it certainly managed to keep my attention till the end. “On Death & Endearments” also brings the EP to a brighter and faster paced groove. The additional female vocal harmonies work extremely well with the feel of the song and are an excellent addition.

————————————————————————-

The Past, Imperfect picks up where “Someone Else’s Muse” left off. The EP as whole is much more musically diverse and interesting to listen to. From the angry, aggressive feeling of “The Common Touch” to the electronic dance beats of “Young Throats”, the band seems to have woken up a bit for their second installment. Perhaps my favorite song, though, is “Present Perfect (An Epithalamium)”. Incorporating delicate chimes, light guitar riffs, and involved beats, the song builds to a roar for the chorus and transitions well from one movement to the next.

Considering the musical versatility of each member of Parenthetical Girls, I would have expected a bit more from a few of the tracks. Overall, though, the talent of this band is obvious, and the creative growth in The Past, Imperfect more than makes up for a few less significant songs from On Death & Endearments.