SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SIERRA PILOT – PHANTOM PAINS

SIERRA PILOT
PHANTOM PAINS
INDEPENDENT

Sierra Pilot makes its entry into their native Canada’s alternative rock scene with this impressive, ballsy debut, Phantom Pains. Indeed, after the opening barrage by the trio of “Alive”, “Adrenaline”, and “Keys To The City”, you’d be forgiven for thinking that they had been around forever, such are the nostalgic echoes of their classic rock sound.

However, while there are definite parallels to the rock titans of old, particularly on lead single “Alive”, a mass of pounding drums, power chords and shrieked, Axl Rose-like vocals, the band avoids any danger of falling into pastiche by showing off both variety in its sound – such as by echoing, at times, early 90’s grunge including Pearl Jam – and, in the later album tracks, giving the listener glimpses into the true depth of their talent, in particular in relation to the songwriting, which shows signs of becoming more introspective and mature as the album continues.

Phantom Pains is a pleasing debut album.  It lacks a little subtlety, and doesn’t have the depth and variety of something from a more seasoned band, but for an up-and-coming band still finding its feet and exploring its talent, this is a promising opening. This won’t be the last we’ll hear of them.

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