Review #13 : Suspicious Minds

Review #13

Artist: Suspicious Minds
Album: Electric Elvis

Suspicious Minds’ debut album, Electric Elvis, can be best described as a love letter to rock and roll. The band’s name alone is a shout out to The King himself as is the releases’ memorable title. Hell, if there was ever a genre called “Swing Metal” (which there very well may be) these four rockers have brought it back with a vengeance. This here is something special.

One of my favorite things about listening to records is finding what artists have buried between the proverbial and musical lines. Discovering the artists that inspire your favorite musicians can always help you appreciate the history and hard work behind every song. So when going through Suspicious Minds’ first record, I couldn’t help but hear literally a whirlwind of influence coming from artists such as My Chemical Romance, Green Day, The Struts, Hinder, Metallica, and Volbeat. I could honestly go on about all the cool and “possible” easter eggs that I have convinced myself that are there, but I’ll leave that to diligent YouTube reviewers of the world. However, I think the one sure truth here is, these boys love music.

Let’s start with the alleged genre. There is something about the term “Swing Metal”, which I am classifying this band with, that sounds like a fancy banquet taking place in the middle of a mosh pit. To be truthful though the band prefers the term “"Heavy Swing Rock & Roll" so I’ll be musically correct for here on out … maybe.

That said, what I hear in Electric Elvis’ Hampton Jig is the blasting of a very angry Brian Setzer Orchestra mixed with guitar riffs similar to those of Volbeat and Biffy Clyro. This “jig” isn’t kidding around though, so don’t let the beginning of the track fool you. While the first eleven seconds may have you scratching your head and wondering what the hell you got yourself into, you soon find out that this music is exactly what modern rock needs more of. I honestly feel that this song’s large sound truly may be bringing to light one of more fun and catchy melodies in local/rising music scenes.

Between tracks you’ll catch some fun skits too, these reminded me of albums from the old Eminem days and the infamous My Chemical Romance record, Danger Days. These bits star a character who is a radio personality interviewing the band, Suspicious Minds. While it isn’t the most original material, it is cool to see a young band thinking outside the box in this way.

Another song that stood out to me was When I Hear Your Name, which for whatever reason was throwing me callbacks to Green Day’s Good Riddance and F.O.D.. Definitely more of a ballad, this track slows things down but builds progressively to a polished rock number that 

I found to be very thrilling.
   
Personally, I rate and recommend this debut very highly. There is only one song though that I found to be underwhelming. You Never Knew (Things You Do) is the most pure metal song on this release and in my opinion the most generic. When placed next to it’s album counterparts, it leaves me wanting more and just feels like another hard rock metal jam that landed on a list of true gems.
I WANT MORE SWING METAL IS WHAT I’M SAYING!
Sorry, but I do.

And with that and all jokes aside, “YNK(TYD)” and the rest of Electric Elvis is a skillfully produced and professionally crafted setlist that will be available to your beautiful ears on March 1st, 2019. In the meantime, you should follow the band on Facebook (@themsuspiciousminds) and Instagram (@besuspicious). Once you do that, support the rise of swing metal, baby! I’m seriously all for it.

Ryan Hanratty
Frosted Green Productions