Optimistic, Hope Laiden Rock with an emphasis on the importance of the future.

4 MP3 Songs
POP: Power Pop, ROCK: 80's Rock



Details:
I've heard the words "epic soundtrack rock" bandied about when referring to PROJECT PHOENIX. With the first few notes of the EP, it's easy to understand the concept. It is soundtrack rock. Any of the songs on the EP could easily be the openers to your favorite movie... or your favorite CD.

"Take Comfort In Knowing" starts the listener off with a driving, upbeat tune coupled with an inspirational message: Everything will change, you're not alone, and things are getting better. In an age where bands are screaming negativity into the microphone, PROJECT PHOENIX offers a refreshing and positive change of pace. The sound expressed in this song harks back to the days of U2 and The Police, where artists were making music that was going to be remembered for longer than an afternoon. This song definitely sets up PROJECT PHOENIX's sound.

I love "Say What You Want." It manages to be different from what is out there today, but still feels familiar, like you've been listening to it for years. The lyrics don't bend to the cliché themes of music today - girls, hearts breaking, and hatred. Instead, there is the vow "I swear I will never let you fall / even when you ask me to." The music of the track is especially noteworthy, because you can just feel the emotion of the people playing the instruments, which is a real rarity in music, unfortunately.

"A Little Bit of Lost Control" is my favorite track on the EP, because it's almost like a short story. It's slower than the first two tracks, but no emotion is sacrificed. I would love to see this song performed live. This is a very telling song - the listener can tell that the musicians behind the track care about the music and have spent real time on it; they didn't just sit down for five minutes to produce a mediocre pop hit. I could listen to this song over and over again... which I have.

The final track on the EP, "Letters to the Queen," is a perfect follow-up to "A Little Bit of Lost Control" and an excellent end to the EP. The emotion in the vocals on this track is unreal. This song is almost too good for the mainstream; it's the sort of song you want to hide under your bed. The music is subdued here and the vocals are showcased, which I am totally fine with because talent abounds in PROJECT PHOENIX. Around three minutes and thirty seconds into the song, the listener is taken on an instrumental journey. The only way I can think to describe the last few minutes of the song are: a rock and roll rainfall. Normally I become bored with instrumental endings, but this held my attention throughout.

This EP is melodic, thoughtful, and packed with emotion. You cannot dismiss PROJECT PHOENIX. This band has my vote for the Next Big Thing. If you want a CD that you will be able to listen to for years to come, do yourself a favor and pick up "The Future Through Fresh Eyes."

- Stephanie/Owner of Penn-Punk.com