By JOHN DALY

The Slang has released an upbeat and full-sounding EP, precisely mastered and engineered to bring out the best this alt-rock duo has to offer.

They’re both named John, but each prefer using one name, in this case Bobo and Newsome. Bobo the frontman has some powerful pipes much in the vein of U2’s Bono, and his multi-tasking brings a consistent and upbeat driving sound to the record.  His creative writing abilities (with Kris Kerr on tracks 2 and 4) help propel him and partner and bassist Newsome into a higher realm.

The Slang is influenced by Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Pete Yorn, Bill Frisell, Rage Against the Machine and Muse and it’s clear as parts of each of these performers come through.

Production work is polished, the album is produced by Russ Long (Wilco, Sixpence None the Richer).

Our favorite tunes on the EP are “Ballad of Everything” and “Day and Night.”  The video for the latter is embedded below.

We look forward to catching The Slang when they go on tour in support of the Night and Day EP.  But until dates are formalized, you can check out The Slang on Soundcloud and in productions by HBO, USA network, and Troma Films.

The Slang’s first EP, the self-titled The Slang was mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Tokyo Police Club, The Toxic Airborne Event) and mastered by Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys) enjoyed success in the US.

The Night and Day EP was created in Nashville. It was recorded at Ocean Way Studios, additional recording was done at The Brown Owl and it was mixed at The Carport.  It was mastered by Jim DeMain and assisted by Amy Marie at Yes Master Studios. String arrangements were done by Matthew Slocum.

 

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