RESIDE // CLOSING DOORS [EP REVIEW]

Michael Dixon
Nov 6, 2017
3 min read

Band: Reside

Release: Closing Doors EP

Area: Melbourne, Victoria.

Date of release: 26/10/17

Genre: Alternative/Emo/Grunge/Punk Rock

Reviewer: Michael Dixon

For Fans Of: Spectral Fires, Introvert, Set The Score

Next Gig: AVENUES END EP LAUNCH at the Rockstar Bar in Frankston. Friday November 3rd, 2017.

Reside are a four-piece Alternative Rock band from the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. What once began as a home studio project has now blossomed into a fully-fledged live band. The EP took over 6 months to write, record and release with each of the boys sharing their thoughts and experiences about it. All of their relationships, internal struggles, creative interests and emotional issues are reflected in the songs here. It’s about the personal journeys of a 20-something year old and how music and life have shaped them as individuals.

“Anyway” is a 41 second instrumental track with a laid-back, lulling guitar riff and a rough, crackling vocal sample with a guy talking about the making of a compilation tape. “Fidelity” is the first proper song on the EP. The band strikes a delicate balance between urgent, loud, rushing guitar riffs and chilled out, blissful melodic undertones. Lyrically the track is about dealing with regret, past mistakes and human imperfections as vocalist Liam sings “I’ve done a lot of bad things. I still can’t work it out. The root of all my problems stem from how I word things out….But I don’t wanna feel this pain, as it makes me feel so low.”

“Burn” has more of an intense, fast-paced punk-rock/grunge core edge to it with piercing shouted contrasting with deep, reflective clean vocals. It’s a very emotionally charged up song about being able to let go of negative feelings such as anger, guilt sadness and loss…“So bury it all now and let me sleep. Grab my head and hold down. Cut in deep. Just bury it all and watch it all burn the way it’s supposed to.”

“Late Night Driving” is perhaps the softest, slowest and most melodic track on the EP. It’s a very contemplative song about dealing with the grief and hurt involved in the ending of a relationship. Liam is at his most painfully honest here as a ruminates on sordid details of what went wrong whilst driving his car into the night… “Why oh why do I open my mouth and cry oh why, just die. I hate myself tonight…remind me why I find myself without you here tonight.”

“We’re Not Monsters (Yet)” was the first single to be released from the EP and is easily the catchiest track here. There are plenty of bouncy, sing-a-long moments to be found on this song. Lyrically the song is about whether a relationship is worth saving or not…”Would you like to see us back down? Will you only turn your back now? Or repair.”

“Home” is the EP’s closing track and final single to be released from the EP. It’s probably the strongest song on here with plenty of punchy, thrashing guitar riffs, softer melodic tones and powerfully sung vocals from both Liam and Sale. Lyrically, this song is about dealing with insecurities, mental struggles and negative self talk, in attempt to figure out why we think, feel and behave the way that we do…”Why am I like this? Trying to get my head stronger. My friends fucking hate me. My heart has grown so cold lately. Everything I touch turns to stone and fades.”

Vocals: 8.5/10 (cleans 4.5/5 and scream 4/5)

Guitars: 9/10

Bass: 8.5/10

Drums: 8.5/10

Lyrics: 9.5/10

Songwriting: 9/10

Mixing: 8.5/10

Replayability: 9/10

Songwriting Integrity : 8.5/10

Complexity: 9/10

Overall: 91/100

Personal Enjoyment: 9/10