:: Benevolent Tomorrow - Benevolent Tomorrow

Benevolent Tomorrow

Over the last few years, Los Angeles outfit Benevolent Tomorrow have created quite a bit of buzz within the independent music scene in California with the five piece act taking out first place in many band competitions in their short time together. Obviously impressed with their abilities, Long Play Inc. quickly secured the signatures of the band, with their self-titled E.P. their debut release for the label. As you can gather from the long list of influences, Benevolent Tomorrow are primarily a hard rock outfit, with a sound that can be best described as a mix of Nickelback, a touch of latter day 3 Days Grace and Creed. In short, the five tracks they present listeners on their latest E.P. isn’t all that original or totally amazing, but solid nonetheless. The opening track ‘The Motto’ is a fairly upbeat number which best shows Bensadoun’s vocal capabilities, which is big selling point for the band. Guitar-wise, there’s perhaps not a lot here that really stands out as anything different from what you would otherwise expect, but again there’s enough on offer to help build the solid foundation of the song without overshadowing proceedings. The mid-paced follow up track ‘Take Me Away’ is more interesting in that the guitars are given a little more room to rock out alongside Bensadoun’s strong sing along melodies, while the first single ‘My World’ is again another slower effort, but one that definitely stands out as one of the E.P.’s edgier and more memorable offerings. The semi-acoustic ‘20 Years’ is essentially a good idea that isn’t quite pulled (Particularly with the transition between the more sedate moments in the heavier sections), which is a shame, because it definitely could have been a real contender. And the same can be said for the closer ‘Down The Rabbit Hole’, which seems to be hampered by a weakened guitar sound. Once again, it’s a good song, but falls well short of being a great song. With a thicker production and a little more daringness in their songwriting, Benevolent Tomorrow could really come up with something that will make a lot of people stand up and take notice. But as it stands, Benevolent Tomorrow has delivered a strong debut effort, and one that will at least allow them a foot in the door.