Provenance, the first full –length album by Laconia, New Hampshire band East is East, is up for grabs for fans of straight-up rock bands who don’t balk at throwing a few experimental punches.

After a brief intro track (there is even a somewhat haunting piano interlude, a nice touch; I don’t remember the last album I listened to that had a legit interlude) the listener is thrust into the dynamic “Arrivals & Departures”.  This track is a pretty good example of the album’s sound in that it is a bit hard to peg down.  “Arrivals & Departures” features a mix of heavy crescendos, layered vocals, changing tempo, and a refreshing bouncy guitar that adds a level of danceability.

One of the album’s strengths is the sheer polished power of vocalist / bassist Andy Mallett.  The band plays off one another well, creating a sound that sounds both intricate and clean.  There are multiple vocals and instruments going off at once, but it all seems carefully choreographed so as to not sound cluttered; complimenting instead of competing.

Provenance features a wide variety of sounds throughout its 12 tracks, but each maintains a backbone of rock.  Where the band really shines is in the flourishes that appear on the tracks.  There is an experimentation with sound and riffs that adds a refreshing and hip aspect.  Bouncy guitars, powerful crescendos, whining solos that could easily be coming from Santana.  Throw-backs to the post-grunge bands of the late ‘90s and pop-punk bands of the new millennium are common place.  The album ranges from happy, sing along songs like “100 Mile Miss” to moody tracks with anxious vocals like “Angry as a Hornet”. 

The album’s single, “Mach 6”, is a prime example of a schizophrenic song done properly.  It starts heavy, gives way to energetic vocals, slows down, speeds up, and still maintains a certain catchy energy of a pop song without being the least bit saccharine. 

Definitely a success.

Head to their website to buy their album or learn more about East is East.

Take a listen to “Mach 6″

Worth a listen: “The Masquerade Will End”- A guitar driven, borderline masterpiece, that somehow seems to incorporate the best parts of classic bands of the ‘90s.