Echocast Where The Future Ends CD

Echocast is a pretty easy band to pin down, especially upon its debut in 2002. The brooding post-grunge of A Perfect Circle and the shimmering production style of the Smashing Pumpkins are both utilized strongly, displaying a sound very rooted in the times. But what matters is the songwriting, and on Where the Future Ends the hooks haven't quite caught up to the band's ambition. The effort is definitely there, especially from guitarist Adam Redding and singer David Mast. Redding's playing offers a timeless chiming matched to a '90s riffing style as the tight rhythm section shapes it into digestible nuggets. But Mast's efforts provide the album's most admirable moments, as he milks his somewhat limited vocal range for just about everything it's worth. This sort of energy makes it hard to completely dislike this album, but the songs are simply not that memorable. A few, especially the melancholy "Wasted Me," are good enough to overcome these problems because the structure is pretty solid. But for the most part, Echocast revisits ideas that countless bands have tried since the early '90s, and the results are less than inspiring in the face of all that's been done in that time. With a little more effort in the songwriting department, Echocast could have really delivered a monster here. As it stands, this is an average effort from a well-intentioned band that has plenty of room and time to improve. ~ Bradley Torreano

Echocast recently found a musical home at Smart Studios (Madison, WI), the home of prolific rock producer Butch Vig (Garbage, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins). The band's debut album, "Where the Future Ends" on XS Records is a landmark transition and fresh start for the members of the hard-rocking, heavy-touring quartet. The record was produced by the Magical Mr. Colsen ( Paw, HBO's Reverb). For Echocast's songwriting nucleus of brothers David Mast (vocals) and Adam Redding (guitar), having a fully loaded band is a strange but refreshing feeling. Starting with their first musical project, a band called Seven, which was based in Tennessee, the brothers have had a constantly changing bass and drum lineup. For their second album ("Supernova," Freedom Records), they were known as Redline, and Redding was even forced to play the bass. Luckily, after "Supernova's" release in 2000, Sean Clark (bass) and Jaren Johnston (drums) became permanent members of the band. The effects were immeasurable. Both huge Radiohead fans, the rhythm team of Johnston and Clark added musical depth and energy that the band had never experienced before. With drumming influences including funk, jam, and even country, Johnston soon proved that he could rock as hard as the rest of the band, while using his varied influences to help push the music in new directions. And Clark, formerly a lead guitarist for the band Valid, brought a chord-player's style to Echocast's bass sound that went far beyond merely keeping pace with the kick drum.

Finally feeling complete, the band set out on a tour that would take them through 31 states and Canada supporting "Supernova." They played every night possible. The tour was successful and resulted in seven singles hitting rock charts and college radio. The band also appeared twice on network television. The most exciting part for the band, however, was seeing the enthusiasm of the fans, people mouthing the words to a song while David sang, or approaching the band after a show to say how a much a song meant to them. "Where The Future Ends" marks a transition for members of the group who started playing for fun. Aside from the new name and artist-friendly new label, the band has adopted a confident new attitude. They are fueled by a source as powerful as the radioactive element in their name and ready to explode on the national scene. Echocast is ripping up the road to success.

Recorded at Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin.

Personnel: David Mast (vocals); Adam Redding (guitar); Jaren Johnston (drums).

Recording informati