A hard-hitting arsenal of guitars, sterling vocals, and highly evolved lyrics powers Four Play. In a multi-faceted pallet of instrumental and melodic hooks, these songs make themselves forever yours as they lodge onto life’s cerebral hard drive. From the compound intricacy and punchy upbeat pop keyboard hook of “Circles” to the deep space guitar reverb intro and pounding rhythm of the Bowie-esque “Lonely With You,” this EP condenses the essence of a remarkable CD into just four songs.

The performances of Mike Collins (drums), Jimi Evans (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Paul Bond (lead guitar), and Eric French (bass) all merit individual recognition. Throwback Suburbia as a unit is a balanced, tuned, ported and blueprinted machine on stage as well as in the studio.

Blogcritics

Throwback Suburbia weaves together a combination of intelligent lyrics, warm, ardent vocals, hook-filled arrangements, and powerful, aggressive guitars to create what could be a how-to guide for making melodic, addictive, retro-chic power-pop. And Throwback’s charming penchant for finding a clever way of naming an EP after the number of tracks – their first EP “Eight Tracks” had eight tracks – is continued here on “Four Play” with, you guessed it, four tracks.

Those four tracks begin with “Circles”, with Throwback’s signature great lyrics and distinctive vocal melodies. “Circles” has hooky keyboard, driving guitar, fun, and even some hand clapping. It is the perfect, bouncy, summer-time radio tune. The pounding drums and driving guitar of “Lonely With You” mean Throwback’s Bowie influences are showing. With a hooky guitar, it feels a little more forceful than you would expect from this quintessential power-pop band, but it still has Throwback’s hallmark melody-filled, retro-chic sound. “Lonely With You” shows just how capable this young band is.

“Starting Over” and “Watching You Fade” round out this archetypal, power-pop EP. Both have Throwback’s accomplished, smooth, harmony-filled vocals, hooky arrangements and cerebral lyrics that sum up the addictive, matchless, animated sound that is the very bones of Throwback Suburbia. This EP is a perfect addition to your summer-time listening.

“Four Play” is available from CDBaby or you can download it from iTunes. To learn more about Throwback Suburbia or hear tracks from Four Play you can visit Throwback Suburbia’s website.

Unsolved Mysteries Blog

It's over-excitement time again, boys and girls! No, not because it's spring but because of Throwback Suburbia’s “Four Play!” This is in fact the most exalted potentate of power-pop as what's his face intended it to be. In short, bloody brilliant stuff. The Chairman has seen the top of the mountain and it is good! Ok, ok relax. So what do lovers of crunchy guitars and BIG choruses get for their hard earned cash? Well, you get crunchy guitars, BIG choruses and the most uplifting musical experience since the latest Cheap Trick CD!

Performer Magazine

Throwback Suburbia’s first show was just one year ago in February, but in a short span of time, the band has managed to cover a wide swath of musical turf performing to full capacity crowds and securing radio airplay along the west coast of the United States. Possessing credits for the likes of David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews, Hey Gravity, Joydrop, and the Cure to name a few, producers Mark Plati and Tom McKay were back and forth between New York and Portland working on Throwback Suburbia’s new four-song EP entitled Four Play. Joining the project’s high profile roster is mastering engineer and recent Grammy nominee Greg Calbi, who has worked with some of the most influential and legendary names in rock & roll. The result is an explosion of prodigious power pop marked by commanding performances and arrangements on an EP that sticks to the intelligent side of your brain while keeping the pleasure side entirely entertained.