Artist: Exit Calm Album: Exit Calm

Year: 2010
Duration: 0:0-1

Exit Calm’s “Exit Calm” Album: A Critical Review

Exit Calm, a British rock band formed in 2006, was known for its blend of shoegaze, post-punk, and indie rock. The band’s self-titled debut album, “Exit Calm,” released in 2010, was critically acclaimed and remains a fan favorite among indie rock lovers. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the album, including its brief history, the music genre, and our critical review.

“Exit Calm” is an album that stands out as a testament to the incredible talent of this band. The album was released on Club AC30 label, and each of its ten tracks brings something new to the table. The album has a distinctively British sound, with influences of The Stone Roses, Ride, and Joy Division.

The album starts with the track “You’ve Got It All Wrong,” an upbeat and catchy song with a driving rhythm guitar, and features Nicky Smith’s ethereal, soaring vocals. Other standout tracks include “Hearts and Minds,” a track that starts with an intense wall of distorted guitars and drums, and “Reference,” a track that showcases the band's raw energy and rock roots.

The album demonstrates the band's ability to create music that is both powerful and accessible, combining rock influences with atmospheric sounds and catchy hooks. This is particularly evident in the track “Don’t Look Down,” which features a haunting melody, richly layered guitars, and a driving rhythm section. The track's lyrics are also a standout, with Nicky Smith's vocals perfectly conveying the desperation and hopelessness of the song's message.

Despite the band's exceptional talents, “Exit Calm” is not without its flaws. The production could be better; it sounds muddied at times, which can detract from the overall listening experience. Moreover, while the album's genre is predominantly shoegaze and post-punk, there are moments when it falls into generic rock territory making some of the tracks less memorable than the others.

“Exit Calm” by Exit Calm is an album that perfectly captures the band's talent and vision for music. It’s a great album for anyone who enjoys atmospheric rock and post-punk genres. The album has many great moments, like the driving rhythms and ethereal vocals, but it’s the raw, intense energy of the tracks that truly sets this album apart from others in the genre. However, being fair, the album has its flaws, such as muddied production, a lack of memorable tracks, and the occasional generic rock tendencies. Overall, “Exit Calm” is a highly recommended listen for anyone looking for a unique listening experience in the post-punk and shoegaze genres.