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Apr 26, 2017 BNQT By Matt the Raven

Before listening to Volume 1, first banish all expectations as to what this so-called super-group might sound like. Trying to figure out what a band featuring members of Midlake, Band of Horses, Franz Ferdinand, Travis, and Grandaddy will sound like is enough to give you a popsicle headache. But listening to it will no doubt elicit memories of super-groups past.

BNQT (pronounced: banquet) have not fashioned a record of grandstanding indie rock, but instead have infused their radio rock with styles and sounds that at times resembles those of The Beatles, Dire Straits, The Doors, Pink Floyd, and even ‘70s pop band America. But before you cry foul, rest assured there is no mimicry going on here as Volume 1 bears the attributes of all the artists involved, but traces of these past super-groups are strewn throughout the album in varying degrees and with varying degrees of success.

On the positive side, opener “Restart” gets the album off to a good start with a groovy bass line and clever guitars. “Real Love” is probably the most Beatles-esque, with bouncy rhythms, clever arrangements, playful horns, and sunshiny vocals. “Failing At Feeling” and “100 Million Miles” sound the most like Grandaddy, mostly due to Jason Lytle’s vocals, but also because of the sprightly piano-based rhythms and woozy orchestrations. The Doors’ cavernous sound is reprised for “Hey Banana” while the keyboards on “Fighting the World” do their best Pink Floyd impression before including some wailing guitar licks ending in a pleasant swirl of sound.

The rest of the album is full of standard rock fare with occasional forays into adult contemporary. Although well executed and not distasteful, it’s hard to swallow given the resumes of the personnel involved. Overall, BNQT have a knack for extracting elements from some notable bands to create a roiling and rumbling rock ‘n’ roll mixture, but the band seem more intent on rocking out and having a good time rather than impressing.

Unfortunately the advice given in the opening paragraph was not followed and there were high expectations heading in to Volume 1, planting doubts about what to expect with Volume 2, if it’s even in this super-group’s plans. (www.bnqtband.com)

Author rating: 6/10