HoneyChild – Nearer the Earth

So Cal sextet HoneyChild’s (it’s hard to start off this review without a mind wandering to the gutter when the first couple of words include “sex” and a band name indicative of a nudie bar) debut album Nearer the Earth is a southern-fried chunk of alt-folk reminiscent of Mumford and Sons but with more gravitas.

The children include lead singer, guitarist Erik Donley; guitarist Tobias Jesso; multi-stringed-instrumentalist Noah Gersh; Lance “Bobcat” Piebenga on the keys; bassist Jamie Schefman and drummer Rheese Detrow.  The group’s sonic delivery is as massive as it is intricate.  Shy of Nine Inch Nails, few bands manage to pack so many layers of sound and orchestrate it well.  The drums provide a monumental wallop when the group kicks in on tracks like “Tijuana” and “Away We Go” but also have a level of restraint on “The Owl” (which is meant for a to-be-created teen drama).  Donley’s vocal work is a perfect, lightweight compliment to the roaring undercurrent the band generates.

Fans of Death Cab for Cutie, Neil Young, Crash Kings and the aforementioned Mumford and Sons will dig on HoneyChild’s sonically interesting party tracks.  Nearer the Earth is a fantastic road trip album or inclusion in a social gathering and is sure to keep your ears interested with each consecutive spin.

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