Heave Media

Nerd Pop Done Up NYC-style

Bridges and Powerlines provide hits but not enough punch

Bridges and Powerlines

Ghost Types

Released on Apr 22, 2008

The New York City band Bridges and Powerlines may quickly become the indie rock darlings of 2009 if they keep playing their cards right.  The quartet started in 2005 and as the band came to fruition with their signature pop songs, the New York press started to notice.  After a flash of rave reviews from places like The Deli and the New York Press about their debut EP Bridges and Powerlines, the band released their first full-length album entitled Ghost Types in April 2008.  Ghost Types is a florid rush of self-proclaimed “exploratory pop songs” and rarely offers an empty moment.  Right from the opener “Uncalibrated” you know that you’re in for a solid good time.   

I find that a good album has to start with a good opening track.  It’s like a movie in that way.  Why watch a movie that doesn’t captivate you in the first five minutes?  An album works the same way.  “Uncalibrated” bursts with poppy effervescence and a certain charm that you can’t turn away from.  The album fails to bore audiences, from the quirky synth parts to the oddly appetizing voice of lead singer Andrew Wood.  Their sound is very in keeping with the popular indie rock fad that’s exploding out of the five boroughs but their nerdy yet accessible style makes Ghost Types a growing interest in my music collection.  Some tracks like “Middle Child” can drag the album down but never to a point where Bridges and Powerlines’ influence becomes invalid.  These boys just seem to have a knack for keeping our toes tapping. 

So what could possibly be wrong with it?  Ghost Types’s weakness isn’t one that’s devastating, but it is definitely something that could hold the band back in future releases.  As entertaining and well-done the album is, the music is something we’ve heard before.  It’s something good, but there’s not enough difference to separate Bridges and Powerlines from most other NYC bands.  However, this is the band’s first full-length release and more often than not a band’s first release shouldn’t be a final stance on their style or growth.  Bridges and Powerlines has the potential to become the next indie rock sensation.  The band is currently producing new music for an upcoming album and has the talent to amp up their sound into something unheard.  Hopefully their next release sets them apart from the pack of hungry indie bands waiting to make it. 

Posted by Amy Dittmeier on Feb 24, 2009 @ 6:00 am