Beast is the latest release from the Brooklyn folk and blues quintet, Everest Cale. The EP has a mellowed out feel as well as a hearty combination of alternative rock with a blues edge. Vocalist Brett Treacy maintains a strong demeanor throughout the compelling collection of songs that, although somewhat gloomy, are pleasant to listen to. Beast opens up with the title-track, a relatively slow number. It features a guitar section that sounds like the music that was used in old cartoons when a character was walking a long journey. The following cut, “Goodbye,” is a melancholy ballad that fluctuates between being soft and serene to loud and harsh. Also, if listened to during a rough time “Goodbye” can certainly be a tearjerker.
Most discs that tend to stay on the down side end up being tiresome to listen to (or sometimes even draining); however, Beast is easy to get through multiple times. Everest Cale adds nautical themes into the mix during “The Ocean,” which is as cool as the sea breeze with its swanky and sleek feel. One may even compare the tempo of the song with its title. Up until this point, Beast has been a powerful disc. This changes, however, with “Soaked,” which is much more soothing though it seems like a space filler. The release ends with a brassy and slightly more upbeat number, “Place We Know Is Home.” The swinging, big sounds hold their own against its relatively soft predecessors.
Overall, Beast was a swell listen and calmed the nerves. Everest Cale has that smooth sound that goes down easily and is fairly timeless.
In A Word: Chill
