Gotham Theory: “Why’d You Break Up With Me?” is pure, gritty energy!

Hailing from Baltimore, Gotham Theory started with Josh and Sam continually crossing paths on the Baltimore acoustic open mic circuit. With Josh looking to expand his creativity and songwriting and Sam looking for a project to get back behind the kit, they shortly started jamming and searching for members to fill the rest of the group. A couple name changes, several member changes, lots of Taco Bell, and thousands of text messages later, Gotham Theory has arrived with the lineup they have today – Sam Brewer – Drums, Lead Vocals / Stu DePoy – Bass / Zack Mason – Guitar / Josh Sunderlin – Guitar, Lead Vocals.

Something’s been missing lately from rock n’ roll music lately – namely gritty, quality music made with guitars, drums, bass and vocals. When I first heard the album, “Why’d You Break Up With Me?” it was on Spotify, and I fell in love with Gotham Theory immediately. They’re tight, and focus on rocking hard. There are no wasted notes or time on this album – none!

The songs are filled with razor sharp arrangements and terrific musicianship, particularly the spectacular guitars and genius drumming. The often snidely clever lyrics and singing is a real asset too. The sound just jumps out of the speakers and when you hit play on the roaring blues-infected, ZZ Top-like second track, “Angry Boy”, you’ll keep coming back to it again and again and again.

Gotham Theory is not your average rock band. Their music is pure, gritty energy. Slapbang In the middle of their blues infested alternative rock you will hear strong traces of psychedelic and acid rock influences. Tune into “Where Did It All Go Wrong”, “Left Me Blind” and “Girls Do Dumb Shit” for right on the spot proof. But with twin lead vocalists and twin guitars Gotham Theory is so much more, listen to how they funk it up and breeze on out on “I Want To Fit In” and “Often Wonder”.

If you are looking to branch out from the popular corporate rock bands but do not know where to start, Gotham Theory is a great place to start getting your mojo working. Each song is a powerhouse on its own and some are absolutely brilliant. None however are limited by over-compressed, lifeless production. Just get your teeth into the raw and unbridled energy of “Stepping Out”, “Get It” and “Plaything”. No clichés, no overwrought superhero solos, just plain hard-hitting rock n’ roll to the highest common denominator.

It’s a struggle to find bands creating music today that doesn’t sound like everyone else but on this album, you will find musicians writing and playing music for one reason only, which has nothing to do with girls, fame and money or any of that crap. They play music because they love it.

“Why’d You Break Up With Me?” should be required and compulsory listening for all those posers looking for a way into the rock industry. Rock was meant to have this much emotion and this much sludgy, lowdown fuzzy sound. Whoever says modern music has hit the dust has never heard of the Gotham Theory!