In Cages are an alternative rock/indie quartet from Hillsdale, New Jersey inspired by classic acts such as the Pixies and Sonic Youth. With each member coming from a long history of playing in bands, their work ethic, extensive touring plans, and new self-titled EP all reflect their collective experience and melting pot of rock influences.
On their new self-titled EP, the 4-piece In Cages play bare essential rough-edged alternative rock. James Mercer’s overdriven guitars, Lionnel Mascarenhas’ rolling basses and Chris Trembath’s crashing drums dominate their arrangements, while Filomena Jack’s cello adds an interesting and peculiar timbre to their sound.
The uptempo rocker, ‘Dirty Water’ kicks off the EP with gutso. Classic old-school rock guitar hooks run rife, while Chris charges the rhythm with his heavy stick playing. Lionnel’s bellowing vocal adds a nice aggressive touch, while Filomena brandishes her cello defiantly throughout the mix, giving the song a raspier bottom end.
‘Queen Bee’, like the other tracks on the album evidences a roomy, almost muddy vocal mix, very reminiscent of 60’s and early 70’s heavy rock bands. Giving In Cages an almost retro rock sound, notwithstanding the fact that their compositions are modern arrangements.
Alternative-Rock Band - IN CAGES
The mid-tempo acoustic guitar driven – ‘Walk Away’, in fact, completely convinces me of the above. Whether or not this is intentional can only be confirmed by the band. Judging by their declared influences, I would say it is not intentional but a rather pleasant similarity.
‘Walk Away’ could quite easily fit onto one of legendary rock group, Boston’s earlier albums. In Cages obviously tend to be less melodic and more aggressive and grittier than Boston ever was. As well as the fact that Boston lead singer Brad Delp, had a totally different vocal key and timbre. Yet, somehow in this song, In Cages retain that similar captivating, hypnotic aural quality.
‘London’ is loosely in the style of the Fugazi’s ‘Waiting Room’. A little more controlled, tighter sounding and a lot less punk. In Cages also have the advantage of Filomena’s gut grating cello, which in tandem with James’ mordacious electric six-string, drives this song beyond any symptoms of punk monotony.
Listening to this EP, clearly evidences that putting the music of In Cages into any pigeonhole would be futile, as the band (consciously or subconsciously) draw inspiration from a number of sources like grunge, punk and even classic rock. Either from the passed or present.
They have a distinct, aggressively growling sound, which possesses a raw hypnotic appeal. The inclusion of the cello as a dominant instrument, in a rock band, is both a rare and admirable choice, and gives them that extra edge in all their music mixes.
The band are booked for a host of indie festivals this Summer (Digable Arts Festival, Le Grande Fromage, David & Goliath music series, Cupcake Festival).
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