Reviewed by: Craig Atkins

Published:  18 November 2011

ep: flat one

So with the much anticipated first CD for me to review on Music SA, I received the 6 track EP ‘Outsider’ by local Indie/pop 4 piece band Flat One that was recorded in June 2011 at ‘Vincent Avenue Studios’.  

I found it interesting that their influences are listed as The Wombats, Subways, Vines, You Am I and The Beatles, though my ears picked up some musical moments that would not be uncommon to find on The Killers or an Arcade Fire recording…but these were quite sparse.

The opening title track 'Outsider' caught my attention immediately with the opening guitar riff, simple as it is but with an energy that immediately gave me an impression the band had a lot of fun making this recording and that this track would be a fan favourite at their live gigs.

Immediately after the first track begins “Reignite”, with its slow and quiet guitar prelude and strong drumming on the toms making a statement. This track has colour and varying shades of light and dark I really like in a song, though the main vocals sounded flat and the harmonies fell short for me (but this is only my opinion after all).

“Maggie” is the 3rd track and for the definite stand out on the EP, and is also receiving local airplay on 3D. Starting with another strong guitar riff, the structure and vibe reminded me a little bit of Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” with the vocals sung through breaks in the music in the first verse. With the breakdown chorus and group vocals I can see this being another fan favourite at gigs.

“Way Back Home” is another song that is simple in its structure and was really the first time I could really define the keyboards in the recording. This was one that I could definitely hear the influence of the Beatles, particularly in the performance of the drums and bass.

“Now I’ve Met You” is the 5th track that picks up in intensity. There were little moments in the bridge that reminded me of Blink 182, where the vocals raise in register to define the line “this is where I wanna be’, and then take off again with a guitar riff and strong rhythm section.

Final track “Long Weekend” is all about going out and having fun with friends. “Bass drum beats and smoke machines…come on..we’re only twenty three” is a repeating line that sums up the vibe of this song.

For me there are two main things I got from this EP: one being the production quality, with all instruments sitting well in the mix; the second is the energy that is evident and is a direct reflection of this band's intent to have fun with their music.

Where I felt the CD let me down was with the similarities between song structures (apart from Reignite), and the vocals in parts sounded flat and a little pitchy. To be honest the first couple of listens I wasn’t really that keen…but as I listened more it certainly started to grow on me. So anyone who likes indie rock/pop please get your hands on a copy or go see a live gig and make up your own mind.