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The Influence, Pig Radio

by Helen Bennett
01/22/2008

Pig Radio, The Influence’s sophomore album which was released on Jan. 1, brings an exciting blend of sounds to each of its 11 tracks.

The separate tracks fit together on the CD as though each is part of the larger journey, taking the listener all the way from (day) “Break” to the end, “At Sunset,” as if an entire day has elapsed.

Short, choppy lyrics coupled with lead vocalist Matthew Archer Stephenson’s hollow deep voice convey a sense of emotional pain and inner turmoil, as he often seems to be wailing rather than singing.

The band’s biography on their website describes their sound as a “hybrid fusion of acoustic and electric sounds, luscious counter-melodies and seldom heard five part harmonies.”

The track “Cielo Sin Sol” offers a combination of English and Spanish verses, which are delivered so smoothly and articulately that it takes a moment to realize the words being sung are not in English.

The transition from track to track is an easy one, if you like the genre of music they offer: 90s-style grunge rock with a modern attitude of self-destruction. It is a consistent theme throughout the album.

Drummer Collin Cogan offers a hard beat for each tune, as he accentuates each introduction for the songs and hurtles the listener into the darkness of the verses, while bassist Chris Tully provides the smooth undertone over which Stephenson sings. The two guitarists John Zontini and Will Clarke, also long-time friends, blend their melodies together intricately and concisely.

In “The Following,” the feeling of anguish and paranoia is apparent by its lyrics, “You just can't whisper me down/ I paid my life for this pain/ Are you afraid/ I know you're afraid.”

However the new single, “Slippin’” is the song they are relying on, as it has already received over 7,000 hits on their Myspace page, which has them labeled as an “Alternative/Rock/Pop” group.

The group, on tour from January until mid-May 2008, will be traveling all over the southeastern United States.

In the past, the band has shared the stage with Silverchair, Jimmy Eat World, Los Lonely Boys and Carbon Leaf, as well as many others.

The Influence will be performing at Tasty World at 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 with Wormsloew. For information, go to their website or visit their Myspace page.

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