Revolver: Parallel Lives EP

Revolver
Parallel Lives
Astralwerks
2011-02-21

In the middle of its first North American tour, French trio Revolver issued this four-song EP stocked exclusively with acoustic material. Evoking locales ranging from the late ‘60s British folk scene in London to the singer-songwriter haunt of Laurel Canyon, California,Parallel Lives exudes old-fashioned professionalism with its three-part harmonies and well-sculpted folk-rock arrangements. This classicist musicianship means Revolver wears its string-plucking influences blatantly on it sleeve, particularly on the Tom Petty meets-CSN&Y cut “Losing You” (one of two brand-new songs present here). More off-putting, however, is how Revolver’s execution is a little too slick and on the nose, making the group come off like a politely-inoffensive coffee shop band at various points. Although Parallel Lives has its pleasant moments, when its brief run time concludes it doesn’t beg for any stronger reaction than dutiful applause.

RATING 5 / 10