UNSIGNED SPOTLIGHT – The Radio Knights – Happen


Band: The Radio Knights
Album: Happen
Genre: Pop Rock

Tracks:
1. Redemption
2. Joanne
3. Push
4. Running From The World Like Horses
5. The Key
6. Ghosts
How anyone cannot love piano based pop rock is beyond, We’ve featured Parade The Day who have since broken up, but while together, they were a near perfect pop group. Now, in the wake of their absence, a new contender for best unsigned piano pop rock group has emerged in the form of The Radio Knights. Hailing from the one city I have a crush o that I’ve never visited, Boston, this four piece recently released Happen and if these six tracks are any indication of what they’re capable of; you best strap in because it’s going to be a wild and engaging journey.

“Redemption,” kicks things off on the right note with a pop-tastic tale of young love. Though we’re initially met with soft, slow piano, the song kicks into full drive with beautiful group vocals before Matt Dahan’s voice softly comes in to guide us on through the story of two small town kids escaping their villages and running off to find greater places. The references to the highways and small town dreams may be a bit of worn ground, but the melody and song structure gives it a fresh feel that really gets you into the band and makes you excited for what will be coming next. What we get next is a very Elton John influenced, “Push,” that rings out like atimeless pop song in the making. Fromt he first 10 seconds you are completely pulled in through the bands musicianship. The beat is the kind that perfectly accompanies long car rides or montages in teen love films. The use of harmony in the chorus only seves as icing on the cake, but is delicious none the less.

“The halfway tracks on the disc are, “Push,” a very Maroon 5 like track that has vocals that have a much more rocky feel and, “Running From The World Like Horses,” which plays like the perfect summer ballad. “Push,” is quite solid, but not the of the same stand out quality of the previous two tracks. I’m not saying it’s weak, it just didn’t “pop” for me. “Running From The World…,” on the other hand, may be the song the band has musically speaking. It’s almost jazz like, but Dahan’s vocals could keep any music fan engaged. Those familiar with Five For Fighting and Train will fall in love with TRK right here. This pop goodness is then followed by, “The Key,” which once again has mellow beginning, but instead of a piano lead, we are met with wonderful guitar work from Nicholai Baxter. His talent shines on many tracks, but it’s here that he really has the main music lead on the track. The song itself is a great song that, for some reason makes me picture the romantic scenes in movies where lovers meet in the pouring rain. IT just has this feel of passion through the music that is rare in this day and age. As the track ends we find the closing number, “Ghosts,” to be introduced with a solid drum beat from Greg Settino with Brian Allsion pulling down the bass part beautifully. This is really a mellow track, but with enough pop sense to make even the sad sounds engaging to the general public. The song builds like a pulsating battle cry for romantics and ends on the perfect notes which leaves you wanting more from The Radio Knights and wanting it now.

In this fragile age fro the music industry, many people are taking gimmicks to rise quickly, make some money, and get out, but real music will prevail in the end. SUre, some could say piano rock is a gimmick, but The Radio Knights play with the kind of heart and enthusiasm that it takes to make it and survive in the music industry. From the first notes of Happen. you know you’re listening to the next big band in pop rock. The Radio Knights have new sensation written all over them and if Happen is any sign, they will be favorites of many for years to come.

**Written By James Shotwell**
GRADE: 8.5/10

James Shotwell
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