Oh hell yes! One of the most persistent delights over the last five years has been the steady growth of Sons of Silver. A US-based alternative rock band it features an all-star line-up that includes Peter Argryopoulos, Marc Slutsky (Peter Murphy), Brina Kabler, Kevin Haaland (Skillet), and Adam Kury (Candlebox). Frankly, the band had me hooked from the moment I heard Doomsday Noises and, since the release of that excellent EP, they have not put a single foot wrong.
Except one…
To date, Sons of Silver have focused on building their presence (and understandably so) in their native US. For the rest of us, of course, it means that we have had to cling to our albums and simply try to imagine the band’s ferocious live presence.
Enter 7 Cities 7 Songs. The sort of live EP that you’d have found in the import racks at HMV back in the 90s (think Pearl Jam’s expanded Dissident single), it’s a great solution for those waiting for Sons Of Silver to land on this side of the pond. A short, sharp release, it captures the very best moments of the tour and with plenty of sonic depth thanks to the efforts of Grammy-nominated Tim Palmer (Pearl Jam).
It starts hard, with the excellent Read ‘Em Their Rights. The only track sadly from Doomsday Noises (but what a track), it finds Pete greeting the audience in low-key fashion, before stepping back to let the music do the talking, and it’s a hell of a way to kick off this sweet EP. We’re then into the band’s debut, Runaway Emotions, with Giving It Back keeping things sharp and snappy. Interestingly, the track, which was always emotionally charged, takes on a post-punk aspect when played live, the soaring, airy guitars held tight by Adam’s prowling basslines. Then there’s Ghosts. A track that only hinted at its arena-filling potential on record, it takes on the anthemic power of early Pearl Jam in this exceptional live rendering.
Having showcased their more soulful side, Sons of Silver simply unload on the punky Tell Me This, which blazes with barely restrained alt-rock power and just a touch of The Who’s blues-rock intensity thrown in for good measure. One can only imagine the state of the audience after this one, because even at home it’s difficult to stay seated while it’s playing.
Following this brief moment of shock ‘n’ awe, Sons of Silver take it right down on the Springsteen-esque Running Out Of Words. A highlight from the album, it reminds us that few acts currently treading the boards have a frontman who exudes the sheer, heartfelt authenticity that Peter brings to the table. It’s a classic in the making and it’s equally fantastic to hear the band bring it to a monumental climax, segueing directly into a ferocious (and slightly foolish) Who’s Gonna Stop Us – a track that nods to Bryan Adams’ equally ludicrous We’re Gonna Win. It’s a taut little rocker, built around an absolutely brutal bassline, although its Marc Slutsky’s heavy-on-the-toms performance behind the kit that really makes the track punch above its weight. It’s also a reminder that, while Sons of Silver can take us on a monochrome stroll through the haunted streets of America, they’ve got power and to spare where it counts.
The EP wraps up with Hold Tight, a more expansive piece from Runaway Emotions that takes elements of U2 and even Suede, mixing glam and hard rock elements into the band’s already heady sonic stew. It provides the set with an emotional ending that leaves you urgently wanting more, and it’s hard to imagine a better gift for Sons of Silver fans.
As a teenager, I remember discovering bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden for the first time and simply sitting, nailed to the stereo, trying to absorb every note and every emotion. From badly copied cassettes to loving tracked-down rarities, I slowly expanded my collection, but it’s a rare moment when I recapture that same sense of wonder. However, from the very first note, Sons of Silver have consistently brought those memories, and those feelings, flooding back. There’s a power to their music and to their performances that is irresistible, and this live EP is no exception.
The perfect stopgap while we wait for the band to expand their footprint, 7 Cities 7 Songs may not offer anything new, but it does provide seven beautifully produced live versions, bringing the best of the band’s catalogue to life and sending shivers down the spine in the process. 9/10
Fantastic positive upbeat review! expressed beautifully in eloquent impressive language. Reading this review definitely encourages anyone to listen to and enjoy the entire album!!!
Hi Linda, thank you so much for taking the time to read through the review and for your kind comment. There really is something very special about Sons of Silver, and I’m very happy if I managed to capture some aspect of that in this review. Cheers!