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Crouching Tiger

Dabbling in mystical, electronic and fuzzed out acoustic pop can be damn near mind-numbing. Hell, just saying it makes me either light headed or gassy. Talk to anyone who’s battled thru the last three albums from The Flaming Lips; it gets tedious. It’s a genre that flirts with genius but often times results in déjà vu - falling apart under its lack of direction. Please insert almost any mum or Radiohead song [here]. All it takes is that member who outshines the rest to ruin the ensemble. One Missouri group is looking to put life back into it however without it falling apart. And despite the common thread of longtime friends Kenn Jankowski and Adam McGill keeping its fabric together, The Republic Tigers prove they are only at their best as a whole. Their self titled debut EP makes sure of that.

‘Buildings & Mountains’ benefits from a calming hook not unlike RJD2’s ‘Ghostwriter’ churning away in the backdrop. Its blunt Ben Gibbard style licks and Shins composure craft what succeeds for The Republic Tigers: their pop-electronic sound. BeeGee harmony number ‘Sinkin Annie, Down, Down, Down, Down’ snakes around chugging acoustic and funk like Wayne Coyne yet with fiery patience. Of special note are Jankowski and McGill’s choruses, which compliment at just the right moments without piercing through the breathing tissue of the song. Pulsing drums blast thru the spacey dat-like ‘The Drums’ and is seemingly as foreign as the band strays with experimental. Instrumental builder ‘Rollercoaster’ shows the Kansas City boys are just as serious about their layered indie ballets as they are about its ambiance.

Yes, The Republic Tigers have either alienated or honored you with their presence. Their lush, multi-layered psychedelic arrangements can come off as capricious. But listen closely and you will hit upon the meticulous harmonies. McGill’s fabrication of sound is the bands strongest asset - not to be outdone by the compliment of Ryan Pinkston’s striking beats. This is a band truly whole because of its parts; visible in the amazing Sigur Ros-like chronicles they amuse the listener with. Majestical and infections, The Republic Tigers self titled EP lives up to the influences it thankfully reanimates.

Sean Kendall