I am not the first person to say this and I definitely won’t be the last: Dry The River are a band that are a little bit special. They have become a regular name in the “bands to watch” slots that appear in the media around this time of year, and as I write this review their single “No Rest” has over half a million views on YouTube – not bad for a band who’s first official EP, “Weights & Measures”, was only released just over a month ago. So what is it about Dry The River that has people talking?
To start with, there is a polished nature to their sound that enables people to envisage them in big venues and with lots of followers – this goes hand in hand with the sound of the band, which can only be described as big! Not just big in terms of loud, but also in terms of layering, much like Arcade Fire in that sense.
Furthermore, whilst it might be “No Rest” that is gaining them many fans, the title song from their EP has itself just under a quarter of a million YouTube views, and may be one of – if not the – best song view heard all year! The song starts low key with a guitar and some very haunting vocals and slowly builds and build into a glorious cacophony on the last chorus, which is contrasted beautifully with pauses – a feature that I feel more bands should utilise.
This formula of slow building is used on “Family” to great effect once again, and shows a continuity of sound that should be admired. The third track “Bible Belt” is a stripped down treat that shows off their ability to do subtle as well as they do stadium. It has an air of King Creosote about it in both its bleakness and beauty.
Like many I feel that Dry the River are destined for big things, and with rumours of a tour of America early next year it won’t be long before more can decide for themselves, but if you have to have some of them now then “Weights & Measures” is available to stream below.
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