CD Review: Art Decade's 'Western Sunrise'

Art Decade
Western Sunrise
Eldest Only Recordings

The progressive/experimental rock music of Boston's Art Decade is something that is turning the world of contemporary music upside-down. The plethora of sounds, stemming mainly from punk/classical/rock avenues of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, contain a heady mix of soaring vocals, wailing guitars, brashy strings, and pulsating rhythms. They admit influences as diverse as David Bowie, Radiohead, The Mars Volta, and The Muse. Art Decade's instrumental repertoire consists of strings, durms, bass, and guitars. The powerful strings and static-driven guitars provides a sense of urgency that is musical and magical. "A Lie" is a loud, string-based medley with electronic vocals performed in an exciting manner with a bit of a dance beat. "Western Sunrise" contains lively strings and a patriotic melody in-between the vocal parts. "Breeze" contains spacious, guitar echoes, and scintillating strings with airy vocals. "Steam Punk Sticker War" is a thrashy mix of futuristic punk with a dose of acoustic metal that is very good. "Kids and Kings" adds a little punk to the table with vocals similar in style to McFly and similar groups. Whatever you call it, Art Decade is nothing short of a work of 'art'. ~ Matthew Forss