THE HIDING PLACE – EP2
Released 31st August 2011

Words: Gaz Martinez

The Hiding Place’s EP2 only has three songs, so spends little time with fancy intros like some bands, instead, a quick drum fill and we’re straight into Snaketown. An energetic and bouncy song sure to get crowds moving at shows, yet strangely ends on a calm yet eerie note. Lyrically, despite three songs, there are some very nice lines that speak to the heart, personal favourites including “I only saved you from this, so I could play the martyr.”

Good songwriting abilities aside, one main concern for me on this EP is the actual guitar sound, while the clean sections, such as the intro to Popular Myths, sound wonderful, the loud, bombastic choruses (as well as the heavy outro to Pay No Attention) are spoiled by the same thin distortion that flows throughout this EP, while it serves the verses and instrumental sections adequately, they fail to carry the choruses with the grandness that they deserve.

One hopes that when an album is inevitably dropped, this issue is rectified as each song is solid in its own right, and Dominic Webbers range is wide, even if he sounds a little strained on Pay No Attention’s last section. It would have been nicer if the vocals were mixed a little higher as well in verses and such, it feels like Webber has to fight the guitars and drums just to be audible.

Overall a good demonstration of these guys potential ultimately marred by what I feel is a weak production. Same songs with a different person behind the mixing desk, and you have a solid listening experience.