Artist: La Rocca
Album: Sing Song Sung
Label: DangerBird Records
Tracks: 4
Review By: Jacob “Guard The Silver!” Gehman

I never really remember how fun this EP is until I start listening to it. I would never confuse it as being something groundbreaking or new, but still has a nice spark of life to it. The whole thing sounds like some label wanted to continue the whole tired “who can save rock n roll” debate again while throwing in his or her chips.

They’re from Ireland if I’ve interpreted their home town triangle accurately. Which might explain why they named their band after, to quote their website, “an unrefined neck oilery and cocktail bar” which happens to be named The La Rocca. I’m sure it’s a nice little something or other, but the important thing is that La Rocca got a name that doesn’t sound anything like any of the current saviours of rock. It was a smart move, then, dropping the “The” that the father cocktail bar employees.

What makes La Rocca’s EP stand out is their generous use of keyboard. That’s not to say other rock bands completely ignore the instrument, but the way La Rocca uses it is what works. They don’t over use it or under use it. They don’t use those settings which make the tone blatantly digital sounding. Instead it passes for what it is supposed to be imitating and manages to really brighten up La Rocca’s songs.

The other stand out about La Rocca is their vocalist Bjork Baillie, who’s singing tone is very conversational and friendly. This warmth really couples nicely with the keyboard to make La Rocca about as unintimidating of a band as you could care to find, while also really enjoying the great pop qualities of the songs they write.

This album is easily acquired off of iTunes, and if I decrypted DangerBird’s statement accurately, is in stores in the US. Two of the songs will be on La Rocca’s full length and the other two songs are exclusive to this EP.

 

To sum things up, La Rocca isn’t going to save rock n roll. But they do write some fine songs which will fit in well with my shuffle. Big complaint? Too short.