Yes
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
The brainchild of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Travis James, as Because Villains he writes, performs and records all the music with a diverse and skilled approach that puts a unique spin on alt-rock.
“The Feeling” starts the listen with warm singing and equally inviting acoustic guitar as an eloquent version of rock unfolds with a strong vocal range alongside power and emotion. The middle track belongs to “Painkillers”, which gets a bit more forceful with its precise and arena rock friendly moments as James undergoes some self-examination, lyrically.
“There Is Us” exits the listen with fluent drumming as spirited guitar lines and soulful, even bluesy, ideas enter his cautious, yet universally embraceable version of modern rock.
A Florida native who now calls Nashville home, this is the 2nd EP from Because Villains in 6 months. Let’s hope an LP is on the horizon, cause James possesses a timeless sense of songwriting prowess that deserves a lengthier platform.
Travels well with: Neil Jacobsen- Silver Park; The Guilty Lenses- Somewhat Romance, Somewhat Poetry