CD Review: Engloria's 'Drive' Worth the Trip

Dec 8, 2011
Melissa Kucirek

Engloria EP 'Drive.' - Photo Courtesy of Engloria

Albany, New York-based alternative rockers, Engloria, give listeners reasons to join the ride in the three track 'Drive.'

Ever shook a snow globe?

The burst of flakes, the smothering snow gulps up the little figurine.

Now, just imagine as a listener a plume of atmospheric sounds surrounding one's experience. The vocals are clear and capable, but it is the guitar riffs and orchestration that swirl mightily. Music fans tugged by concise songs and lingering rhythms will certainly embrace rockers, Engloria.

Shivering Riffs

This writer listened to the three songs back and forth, front to back, back to front and shuffled more than a few times. The comparative bands that kept coming to mind were Snow Patrol (really, the first line about snow globe is not meant to coincide with this choice!) and Vega. The shivering riffs (enough with the cold references already) are intensely refreshing. While Engloria falls a wee short on smooth vocals in cuts one and two ("Drive" and "Out of Love"), track three ("Made for You") fully compensates.

In the title track, the energy flow bursts from the get go. Fans of Jet might dig this song. While the song does not incorporate a blues-rock foundation, the raw vocals and rock-sound allow the listener to really dive into things. This writer cannot get over the amazing guitar arrangement on this song! The lyrics are so-so, and the percussion and rhythm is superb.

Mellow Tranquility

Track two, "Out of Love" felt like a bit of a let down after the adrenaline-pushing "Drive." The chorus gets a bit overbearing towards the end of the song, but still, the arrangements and guitar riffs enchant. The vocals just really did not resonate on this song for this writer.

"Made For You" really took home the prize for standout track. Just as "Drive" energizes, "Made For You" excites and inspires. This song evokes that mellow tranquility modern rock fans so enjoy. The song has some interesting turns and twists. This writer is a bit embarrassed that she did not get wrapped up in the lyrics, but rather, felt numb to the atmospheric sounds.

Again, "Made For You" does not hit the go button forcibly, but the song swoops the listener into a killer track. The song harnesses all that is interesting and agreeable with the arrangements from bands like Snow Patrol, Vega, The Killers and even quirky rockers MGMT. There is even a slight, ever so faint, thread of country rock running alongside the riffs.

Overall CD Review is B+

Overall, Drive, gets a high B+ performance. The second song, "Out of Love," makes it miss the A mark. Engloria really have the chops and bring something interesting to the musical landscape.