photo courtesy of Falsely Accused via Knyvet

EP Review of Falsely Accused: Unbroken

Unbroken is Falsely Accused‘s follow-up to 2021’s Compression, a sequel long in the making for Matt Tavano (lead vocals, bass), Mark Young (guitar, backup vocals), and Mike Azzolino (drums, percussion, backup vocals). Says Tavano, “It’s been three years since our last record and to say we’re excited to get our new music out into the world would be an understatement. We worked hard tocreate a record with new ideas, new sounds and concepts, not just rehashing the same sound from Compression. As we evolve, so must the music.”

Now, I haven’t listened to Compression, but on Unbroken, Falsely Accused’s music is distorted, guitar-driven, heavy rock with a wall of noise well-suited to fill medium-sized barrooms and small clubs with an electric energy, the kind that leaves gig attendees buzzing for hours afterward, looking forward to the next live performance.

artwork by Matt Tavano; image courtesy of Falsely Accused via Knyvet

Opening cut “A Drink Before the War” was the first single, released last fall in advance of the EP, and it’s the track with the biggest hook, most likely to be radio fodder on an alt-leaning hard rock station – or a heavy-leaning alt-rock station. If listeners are going to choose just one song to add to a multi-genre playlist, this is probably the song with the broadest appeal. With varied vocals and chord progressions that lead the listener from point to point, it’s a well-constructed, memorable number.

For a little variety, there’s kind of a western vibe – open-spaces, though not country – in the tone of song number four, “Drifting.” It’s a little bit of a jam-band type of song, so the structure may not carry the mainstream appeal that the sound does. However, if you’re attending a gig with someone who’s not as into heavy music, “Drifting” is about song for which they’re most likely to comment, “Oh, I like this one.”

The remaining three songs on the EP are less likely to be singled out by casual listeners but are probably more important to establishing Falsely Accused’s heavy, distorted, wall-of-sound persona, the type that provides the overall vibe of a beginning-to-end listen and the aura of a memorable, cohesive live performance.

“Castaway” has a heavy, rhythmic, steady but slow, foreboding, heavy rock tempo and a little ragged, near-psychedelic late-song guitar bridge. This is a song perfectly-suited to an electric, audience-enthralling live performance, particularly the new-rock axe noodling that closes the song.

“Witches” is a dense, heavy number that recalls ’70s classic heavy metal, though again some of the axework, while referencing that time period, utilizes somewhat more modern garage rock riff patterns.

And EP-closing song “Soul Crush” is a seven-plus minute, long-form epic rock ‘n roll number that is perhaps the most ’70s-recollecting AOR song on the EP, structurally, at least, and perhaps also in the distorted elements of the guitarwork. While the guitar runs are timeless, some of the rhythms deployed that hold the song together are more modern heavy rock-flavored. Still, black light posters and lava lamps wouldn’t be entirely out of place when listening to the collection’s closing number, particularly if you’re sitting in a bean bag. It’s a cool, updated, ode to rock history, while still fitting well into the staticky wall-of-noise aura Falsely Accused has cultivated on Unbroken.

Looking Ahead

In case you hadn’t noticed, in addition to “check out this EP,” my other recommendation is “get thee to a live show”! Well, the “Shows” page of the band’s website doesn’t list any upcoming performances, but I’m gonna keep checking back. I’ll also follow the band’s socials to remain abreast of upcoming events. You’ll find all of those links – and others – on the band’s linktree.