My trip to Europe begins in exactly three days, which is why I’m currently wearing my new kicks around the house to break them in for a solid month of walking. Taking new things and wearing them out/in is quite possibly the easiest way to make something unknown – familiar. I approached Boxer and Eyes Wide’s Spilt EP the same way. For a little over two weeks, I let the music cultivate on my hard drive and broke in the songs to break into thought.
The Spilt EP contains six tracks – the first three belonging to Boxer. “Contempt” opens the album with that Ataris End is Forever vibe, reminding me particularly of “I.O.U. One Galaxy.” The angst and energy of emo music is alive and thriving. This movement continues well into the next track with a little evolution. “Weight,” has the essence of A Day to Remember jam, with harmonies in the form of screams. Yet it is the final Boxer track, “Grow,” a punk ballad that slows down the tempo and sets the mood for Eyes Wide.
At first, I couldn’t differentiate from Boxer and Eyes Wide. Both lead singers sound incredibly similar, maybe with a little tonal variation. Despite their similarities, the energy of Eyes Wide is a little gloomier than what Boxer produces. Although Eyes Wide’s first track, “Gem” is comparable to “Grow,” it’s in their second track, “Leaving Feels Right,” that defines their presence on the record. If you’re having a bad day, this song won’t pick you up like Daniel Powter’s hit. Even with change in tempo, Eyes Wide remains the downer band as they close with, “Ordinary.”
Whatever your taste in music is, Boxer and Eyes Wide bring an interesting combination to the table. If you’re into ice cream sandwiches (preferably the Neapolitan variety) then you might want to consider which side to listen to first. For me, Boxer is the strawberry – a must save for last, while Eyes Wide is the chocolate – should be consumed first. In terms of rock and roll, they meet in the middle as easy as vanilla.
Spilt EP is now available for digital download, courtesy of Reveille Records, on iTunes, Amazon, and BandCamp.
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