The Loups
Holding Hands with the Crooked Man
self-released

Click to hear: “So Low in Outer Space“ 

Holding Hands with the Crooked Man, the recent six-song EP by the Brunswick hard rock quartet The Loups, is a musical train ride through the past two decades of mainstream radio rock. The influence of bands like The Pixies is evident, but is overshadowed by the influence of ’90s grunge and, less appealingly, post-grunge.

The songs are generally comprised of dissimilar segments that jump from style to style. But rather than an eclectic marrying of ideas, the sporadic changes tend to be distracting.

The EP peaks early with the opening track, “So Low in Outerspace.” Lead vocalist Just in Graves (yes, there’s a space there) sings with a laidback disposition in front of the band’s restrained playing. There are a few noteworthy quirks in his vocals, like the way he sings the word “guitar” as if it didn’t have an “i” (gah-tar). The song’s flow is interrupted by a brittle, prepackaged chorus, but soon saved by a loud, grungy rock-out section.

Unfortunately, the remainder of the EP has none of the subtlety of the opener. 

“Angel Dust” brings me back to a stretch of my preteen years when, like a good many young Mainers, I was held captive by the airwaves of WCYY. It sounds a hell of a lot like that drop-D balls-rock band Days of the New, whom I had very nearly forgotten. There’s also a fair amount of Layne Staley in Graves’ voice, especially when he delivers lines like, “Had angel dust on my mind, but that was hours ago / Now I take it one day at a time, now I’m taking it slow.”

The Loups.

Something about the band’s style is angry, like the whiskey-drunk eyes of a brawny teenager wearing his older brother’s Cobain flannel cut off at the shoulders. It’s kind of intimidating, but it shouldn’t be.

“Candy Coated Dreams” is a brazen nod to “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” complete with Graves’ own take on Lennon’s trippy lyrics (and British accent): “The streets are made of marmalade / my eyes seeing different shades / Technicolor music tunes / that leave her lips and dance around with you.” Before long, the song fast-forwards into a predictable power-chord jam, then returns to the Beatles bit before rocking out again. It makes you wish they’d just stuck with the “Diamonds” tribute. 

The Loups adopt an early punk/hardcore arrangement for “A Little Something Different,” the EP’s most consistent song. Imagine Johnny Rotten sitting in with Metallica — it’s tight, but a little scary.

It sounds like The Loups are still debating which direction to take. Overall, Crooked Man is bogged down by the irreparable dullness of the songs “Body Like a Rose” and “Deathtides.” The EP’s subtlest moments are its best; the stoner-rock sections are more satisfying than the angsty nu metal ventures. Sadly, the band sounds most comfortable playing the latter.  

— Tyler Jackson

The Loups play on Thurs., May 28, at Geno’s, 625 Congress St., Portland, at 10 p.m., with Stage Fright and EverySmithEver. Cover: $5 (21+). For more on the band, visit myspace.com.theloups.