The local four-piece, Study Electricity, released a self titled EP on October 19 of last year. Made up of Tom Beal (drums), Kevin McCorry (rhythm guitar/ vocals), Anthony Coppa (lead guitar/ vocals), and Seth Acquarolo (bass) Study Electricity combines the classic sounds of 60’s rock and blues with the newer elements of funk infused rock.
The initial song "Dancer" is sure to get you on your feet. A smooth reverb laden guitar track that gels nicely with a tightly knit drum and bass section allowing the vocals, which sound like a combination of Cage the Elephant’s Matthew Shultz and Cold War Kid’s Nathan Willett, room to soar. Lead guitarist Coppa takes a rhythmic solo towards the end as the band combines to bring it home with the opening riff. The second track "Tenderness" starts with a powerful blues/ rock guitar and takes on a somewhat different sound reminiscent of earlier Dr. Dog. The chorus has a catchy hook with the line “Tenderness is All” repeated up until a ripping guitar solo which showcases the band’s technical abilities. The next track "Broken Record" has a distinct garage rock sound that exemplifies the raw nature of Study Electricity. It is clear from this point that the band is capable of bringing the necessary energy to make a crowd move. The EP progresses into "Holy Bread" with the bass thumping and generally driving the song while the guitars loosely float to the beat of the drums. The track possesses elements similar to those commonly associated with King’s of Leon with a more pop rock influenced chorus where both vocalists chime in complementing each other’s unique voices. The final track, Stranger, has a 70s R&B meets indie rock sound making it an instant crowd pleaser. The energy picks up a few minutes in and makes it a more aggressive song. This is where the band sounds their best, with all members pouring themselves into the jam completely.
Overall, it’s a great release from a young and upcoming band that showcases a wide range of ability and raw talent. Check them out on their band camp site and support a rising local band. In their own words; “You can dance and you can rock, but if you want to do both, you’ve got to Study Electricity."
