OFFICIAL: http://quantumsplit.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/QuantumSplit
Written
by Alonzo Evans, posted by blog admin
Led
by Berklee College of Music student, musician, and singer Soliel Laurent and
joined by Adrian Read on guitar, Ivan Hardy on bass, and Anthony Anderson on
drums, Quantum Split is one of those once in a generation bands who emerge from
near-obscurity fully formed and guided by a fiery creative vision. Laurent’s
unique talents as a singer and interpreter of the band’s material – the lyrics
certainly touch on themes of personal freedom and empowerment, but Laurent
brings them to vivid, colorful life with her passionate bellow and abundance of
chops. Her band mates bring the same combination of inspiration and skill to
their role and guitarist Read, in particular, proves to be a compelling foil
for Laurent’s singing. Their debut recording, America, may only contain two
songs, but it carries the force of a full length release thanks to the gripping
presentation they concoct for these two tracks. It makes a deep impact that
lingers long after the last note fades.
“America”,
the title song, has a current events sort of feel if, no other reason, than
discontent with the current political situation is so omnipresent in nearly
every medium. Laurent conveys that dissatisfaction and a generation’s resolute
response to it with a varied vocal approach that imbues the song’s “narrative”
with all the requisite drama. Anthony Anderson and Ivan Hardy provide plenty of
punch from the band’s rhythm section, but it’s Adrian Read’s neo soul and funk
stylings mingled with rock guitar posturing that really makes this musically
distinguished. As hybrids go, it’s an interesting blend that the band credibly
brings off from the first. “America”, despite the occasional stridency of its
attack, never risks self indulgence and delivers a timely message fortunately
possessing resonance transcending current events.
The
second track “Runaway” shows off other facets of the band’s talents. Laurent
can make some claim, based on this performance alone, that she’s a capable
blues singer, but the vocal never slips too far away from the powerhouse rock
workout that she gave her vocals on the earlier track. Adrian Read steps up to
the plate in a big way on this track, as well, and his playing deftly straddles
a line between emotive beauty and outright aggression. The rhythm section
delivers once again and gives the song a strong foundation that’s nonetheless
light on its feet and keeps things musically fluid. Its strengths are a little
more diffuse than those on the title cut, but “Runaway” is still impressive
throughout and has some of the same decisiveness setting the first song apart.
Quantum Split embody the brash refusal to accept injustice and offer a clear,
inspiring path for listeners to channel their discontent through music and make
something greater from it. There’s little question after hearing this brief two
song collection that their first full length, whenever we are afforded an opportunity
to hear that, will be an impressive experience.
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