October 3, 2005

{ Ashbury- Last Sensation EP }

I�ve been an aficionado of this band ever since I picked up their self-titled debut EP, which is filled with meloncholic lyrics set to familiar new wave rhythms. Quite simply, they had me at the opening line of �Blood on Stone� (�I could never be the one to trust with your life, I would only break you down with time�). Over time Ashbury have drawn comparisons to The Killers or The Faint simply because they play electro-rock, but to my ears Ashbury finds influence in a Joy Division/ New Order hybrid. With so many L.A. bands gaining notoriety worldwide (The Blood Arm, Moving Units, Autolux, Dios, Giant Drag), it will be interesting to see how much longer can this band remain one of L.A.�s best kept secrets? Last Sensation should act as a steping stone as far as the group working their way past their underground status. On this second EP, the East L.A. five-piece seem to be coming into their own with a darker and more polished sound, which may be the result of working with Hot Hot Heat Producer Warren Huart. The disc opens with the infectious upbeat number �Profile�, complete with sleazy synths, a pounding drumbeat, electric guitar, a hard bass line, and singer Jesse B.�s signature stoic delivery. �Closer Still� finds the group in a vintage new wave groove and the title track displays a much more aggressive Ashbury then were used to hearing. With one foot planted firmly in the past and one in the future, all this group needs now is a full-length album under their belt. - Written by Jay, read more of his reviews at Caffeine-Headache.net.

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By Alan Smithee in Music | Comments:

Comments

I could not agree more! Not to mention the fact that they are the nicest and coolest group of guys, they are probably the best, hands down, live band I've heard in this new genre of music. This band will surely get big...a good secret, and I mean a really good secret, only stays a secret for so long!

Posted by: Natalie at October 6, 2005 7:29 PM

I can't believe a band can be this good, yet so few people know about them.

It's weird, they always sell out their shows yet you hardly ever see them in the press or on the radio.

It reminds me of that Germs song 'What We Do Is Secret'.

Posted by: Aaron Erichson at December 5, 2005 5:16 AM