Katastro – Bones
Track Listing:
1.) Alone (Acoustic)
2.) Basement Floor (Acoustic)
3.) Flow (Acoustic)
4.) Gentle Predator (Acoustic)
5.) Place You Know (Acoustic)
6.) Show Me the Road (Acoustic)
7.) Under My Tongue (Acoustic)
8.) Waste the Night (Acoustic)
9.) With You (Acoustic)
The Pier Album Rating:
Release Date: August 11, 2017
Record Label: Law Records
Official Website: Katastro Website
Artist Background:
Katastro is a hip-hop, funk and alternative-rock sound machine based in Tempe, Arizona and has been turning heads with their music since their debut in 2007. The band has asserted themselves into the alternative scene, sustained by their truly unique sound that is hard to place in any one genre. Katastro signed with LAW records in 2016 for their most recent release and first full-length studio album Strange Nights, which helped the band gain additional notoriety and they are well on their way to becoming a household name. The group is comprised of Andy Chaves (vocals), Tanner Riccio (guitar), Ryan Weddle (bass) and Andrew Stravers (drums).
Album Review:
Acoustic albums are always fun –- they add another layer of depth for previous releases in an artist’s catalog. I’ve always been rather skeptical of them however, because (most of the time) they’re never anything too ground breaking. Aside from hearing one or two tracks that really stand out reinventing themselves, it’s rare to find an acoustic album that listeners walk away from raving about what they just heard.
While Bones is not as strong as its predecessor with Strange Nights, Katastro somehow found a way to make an acoustic album with an alternative rock feeling, removing it from the category of one-dimensional acoustic releases that we’ve often seen.
Each track selected for the album is recognizable for Katastro fans — the oldest track being “Place You Know” which is a reincarnation from the lead-off track on their 2008 EP release The Facts. The track was given several “sounds like Rebelution” comparisons upon its release almost a decade ago (side note: Eric Rachmany has stated Katastro is a must see live band) –- but the Bones version takes it a step further and transforms the track into a completely different song with a slower tempo and lyrical shifts.
“Alone” — which the band chose to promote in anticipation of the release date for Bones, serves as an excellent selection for the lead-off track. From the 2011 release Gentle Predator, the acoustic version stays true to its roots working in various percussion accents and establishes itself as a better version of the two with superior production. “Waste the Night”, which can be found on Strange Nights and featured Jared (Watson) of Dirty Heads stood out for me as another featured track. The song retains its hip-hop centric flow and pairs elegantly with the acoustic overtones to help you sing-along before it’s over.
With only 9 tracks, the record concludes quicker than I had hoped for but I found myself really enjoying it nonetheless. Katastro grabs tracks across its entire discography and keeps Bones pretty balanced from their earlier days to their most recent breakthrough with Strange Nights. Selfishly, as a Katastro fan I was hoping for a few more of their favorites to be included on the record (“Scoreboard,” “Watch It Burn,” “Telescopes” to name a few), but the album still holds up from start-to-finish.
Cliché as it may be since this is an acoustic release, this really should be at the top of the list of albums to consider listening to around a campfire or firing up on a rainy day. Equally relaxing as it is awakening, Bones sits in the upper echelon of recent acoustic releases and will leave you with a lasting impression.
Written & Reviewed By: Brian Glaser
[Editors Note: All reviews are reflective of the album in it’s entirety, from start to finish. These reviews are the honest opinion of each writer/reviewer expressing their feedback as a genuine fan of the music. Each star rating reflects their review of the album, NOT the band. Music is subjective. Regardless of the review or star rating, we encourage you to listen to the music yourself & form your own opinion. Spread the awareness of all music in its art & contribution]
