AWmusic

Beginning with Whisper, Hi starts off on an emphatic note. The melody is aggressive and very lively, which mixes well with the soulful voice of Richard Tobin. Whisper is a perfect example of Las Vegas pop rock as I like to call it, simply an intense blend of instruments tied in with a moving voice. The flare which I mentioned earlier is a result of slick guitar work and dramatic vocals. Whisper also plays host to a great hook, line and sinker, something that is easy to sing along to, and classically pop. The alternative influences can be heard in the sly and talented singing otherwise this is a strictly pop-rock band. The lyrics aren’t anything special among other things, but the delivery is, creating a terrific vibe that drowns listeners in a sea of emotion and intensity.

Find A Way is like a continuation of Whisper, with a similar style it has great vocals and vigorous guitar work. It’s so nice to hear the combination of heavy instrumentals and light vocals, truly a brilliant match. The guitar work in this song is insanely sporadic, creating a truly rock and roll kind of tone that’s grungy and catchy all at the same time. The high energy is something to be admired, a natural sound for live performance. At the same time the vocals remain consistent, always keeping it cool from start to finish. So Far slows things down a bit, sounding a bit more alternative and more like Whisper in terms of pace. The guitar work is tightened up, opting for a more peaceful and repetitive pace, as opposed to the slick guitar melodies from Find A Way. Tobin continues with the onslaught of smooth and personable vocals, never missing a beat.

The EP finishes with Georgia, which was my personal favourite track, while being not all that much different from the other three. All four songs were consistent with one another and could probably be combined to create one huge magnificent track. However, Georgia felt a little bit more soulful, with an intense chorus and wild instrumentals. The vocals were probably at it’s best in this song, with a bit of rasp and a little strut they were naturally “cool” guy. The soulful nature of Westbound Departure really shined through from every element of this track, making it something of a hit in my mind.

Westbound Departure has a great future ahead of them. They have delved into a style that’s catchy and emotional. The perfect blend of pop and rock, I truly hope they can continue on their path and release something great for this year. While they may be unsigned, there is nothing amateur about Westbound Departure, and they have an amazing sound and amazing talent.

Check out their Myspace for official tour dates and album info.
Westbound Departure – Whisper
Westbound Departure – Georgia