Sharp Turn Ahead are 14 year old twin brothers, Kyle and Benjamin Sharp, currently residing in Southern California. They have been performing together from a very early age, ever since Kyle strapped on his first guitar at the age of 2. At the beginning of 2011, Benjamin decided to add a new element to the band, by picking up the piano, and since that time, they have been performing for live audiences.
Since the summer of 2012, Sharp Turn Ahead have performed more than 70 shows around Southern California, from San Diego to Los Angeles. The boys have learned and played over 80 cover songs in the past 20 months, and currently have 40 songs on our active song list, along with seven original songs.
They have just released their 5-track Ep, “Just For You”. I didn’t know what to expect from this Ep, and usually there is at least one song I don’t like when listening to albums. Not here though…
The Ep is full of pulsating rhythms, melodic beats, and introspective lyrics. Considering their age, Sharp Turn Ahead’s love ballads convey to the listener a sense of longing, and of desire, whereas the ballads of most other modern pop bands are bland, unoriginal, syrupy and ultimately poor.
The songs speak for themselves. “Just For You” is absolutely perfect pop. Kyle and Benjamin Sharp’s voices blend in perfectly with the smooth tunes, creating a feeling of absolute release. “Live Like You’re Dreaming” and “Underdog” cater for those who love ballads and are executed magnificently. For the funkier up-tempo audiences there is “Just For You” and “A Little Bit Of Awesome”. For those undecided, in-betweeners, you can easily fall back on the catchy, “I Think I Miss You”, just like I did!
Sharp Turn Ahead is not a typical pop boy band, though this is suggested by their sugar-covered sound and handsome physical presence. However, there is so much more to this duo. I personally think that as they mature, we’ll be hearing what they’re ultimately capable of producing. In the meantime these two talented young individuals have worked together to make this Ep pop-perfect.
Kyle and Benjamin Sharp sing and play instruments too. They have no limits and have a talent in making every song sound different. The variation between each song is perhaps what gives this Ep the touch of perfection. Each song is entirely different, whether lyrically or musically in its arrangements and overall production style. Almost every one of the songs on “Just For You” is strong enough to become a successful single on its own.
The word “pop” seems to have acquired a bad reputation over the years. What used to signify catchy hooks and melodies, or flawless songwriting is now used to criticize bands becoming too mainstream or ‘dumbing down’ their music for the masses. However, that’s exactly what gives songs their staying power. Especially when you catch yourself humming the tunes on your way to work or while you’re cleaning the house.
Sharp Turn Ahead, despite only having started out on their recording career, has already developed some memorable tunes and this EP is a perfect example. You just need to crank it up, tap your feet…and hum along!
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