Volumen^2
Bryan Hickey
Bryan "Bubbles" Hickey, as astute readers may already have surmised, is, in fact, the younger brother of Shane. Bryan�s hobbies, in declining order of the ardor he reserves for them, read as follows: All things WEEN-related, Britney Spears, WEEN, video gambling, Britney Spears and WEEN. Like the youngest Hickey brother, Colin (whose Bon Scott-like vocal prowess and resplendent Afro grace another Missoula band, the International Playboys), middle child Bryan moved to Missoula from Laramie, Wyoming to be where the rock�n�roll action was. His bass prowess is second to none, and his mild-mannered, sweetly smiling stage presence makes him a real joy to watch. And boy did we share a laugh we he revealed that he�d been dating a 14-year old.
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Here's some articles and other random press for your viewing pleasure.
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| Neufutur.com 05/03/2006 |
| URL: View Actual Article |
| Title: Science Faction Review |
| Author: Jmcq |
The straight-forward rock of Volumen on their opening track to "Science Faction", "Side of a Box", ties a classic rock type of style to something more current in the band's assumption of a Red Hot Valentines type of synthesizer line. The band are fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd, in the fact that "Lush & Co" comes to prominence with a free-wheeling brand of guitar lines that only are morphed into a hipster brand of indie rock when the band moves into the stanzas of the track.
"Descolada" is a dangerous track for Volumen, as the fact is there that the song is instrumental and seated in the third spot of "Science Faction". If the band was not talented, or the track not compelling as hell the results might have been enough to sink the band. However, the number of different movements present in the song, coupled with the compelling nature of the track means that the song is more of a refresher than anything else. While the influences during "Orson Welles Was Right" are probably more MC5 than The Ramones, there is a punk feel to the track that cannot be denied.
"The Church With No Name" is perhaps the pinnacle of Volumen's sound; while the sound is hidden behind the over-reaching guitar lines and the distortion on the track, there is no stopping the irresistible force that is the band's vocalist. Imagine that individuals put together Soul Aslyum with Two Gallants, and one will have an idea of how great the band is during this track. This is a feel-good album, one that individuals can either take an active or passive role in; the talent of the band is something that cannot be denied at any point during "Science Faction". Even when the band is only trying to end a track (as is the case with the last two minutes of "The Church With No Name"), individuals are locked in an forced to stick with the band. The only thing that can be seen or heard as a weakness on this disc is the opening of "The Launch", which uses the voice-creation programs present in a song like "Fitter/Happier" (Radiohead) to create a very stilted and awkward dialogue, something that is not mirrored in the band's output during the track. Still, this is only a minor blip on the radar and Volumen admirably makes up for the beginning of the track with a driving rest of the track.
Top Tracks: Lush & Co, The Church With No Name
Rating: 6.2/10
[JMcQ]
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