It’s no surprise when the Triangle’s Drughorse Collective, whose members jump from band to band, gives rise to another group. Based in this collective, The Tomahawks infuses warm pop tones with vintage Americana, like the last days of summer fading into brisk fall.
Full of big guitars and soaring group vocals, “Cut Loose” is reminiscent of sunshiny ’70s pop. These are tunes made for easy living.
“Dear Mary” is the opener, a well-paced song that embodies the spirit the band exudes. Between background harmonization and punchy piano, the song is a standout and serves as a solid gateway to the rest of the record.
“Reason and Rhyme” and “When You Dance” blend group sing-a-longs and swirling guitars.
The ballads encourage the listener to slow down his or her own pace of life.
But as the record progresses, the slow tempos linger too long and the quality fades. While the lo-fi feel works at times, the record lacks the crispness it begins with.
However, the mellow, golden mentality The Tomahawks embrace is refreshing, and as a rising Triangle band, the potential for further distinction within this music scene is there.
