In a vast sea of endless musical options, it is hard to find music that matters. It’s hard to find good music. Regardless of taste or preference, difference making musical creations seem to be less and less. I scan the interwebs and see so many news clips of this up and coming band and that band will be the next big thing and blah, blah, so what! From rock to metal to pop to electro… It’s all been done before. Or has it? Enter Tommy Alto. A Vancouver, B.C. band of multi-talented gentlemen: Tom Vanderkam (guitar, lead vocals), Benji Klassen (guitar, vocals), Chartwell Kerr (drums, vocals), and Chris Young (bass, vocals).
Now these young men – ranging from 19-22 years of age – are now writing and making music from a completely different perspective on life. Last summer they were involved in a very brutal tour van accident. Their current drummer and their former bass player were severely injured. Sadness came over the fans and those in the Tommy Alto camp. I am privileged to be acquainted with Klassen and his family, and weeks before this terrible accident I had a killer time sitting around an evening campfire with the band as Kerr and I shared our love for Thrice and other inspiring bands we knew of. Great times with really great people! Now with a new bass player in the fold, Tommy Alto are back on tour again.
To me personally Tommy Alto’s prior music didn’t grab my attention as much as Atlas \\ Patterson does. Yes I’m very picky as to what I intently listen to, but there’s something so … so solid and mature about this newest release. It’s as if they jumped 10 years and four more albums into Tommy Alto’s future. From tragedy comes beauty…
As the first track “Mountain Top” comes shining in it’s feel good and dancy. The guitars shimmer and Vanderkam’s voice is clear and ambient. “The fire burned brighter that night than ever before.” One listen to this song and you will be toe tapping all day! Lots of time changes yet it holds a smooth rhythm that takes the song to radio quality pop. “Doria” is the second track and starts off with some guitar work that is off set, but so on. This jam teases slow but breaks into a faster speed abruptly. Klassen and Vanderkam’s guitar work fits in so well with Kerr’s impeccable drum work. Really a technical song yet it comes together so fluidly. This is the sound Tommy Alto should continue to progress in.
No slowing down as track three breaks in. Again very techy guitar work mixed into lows that quick swell into fast pop. “My heart is bigger than yours!” If Tommy Alto takes influence from ska-punk at all it’s somewhat apparent on this song, and as for most pop bands it serves them well. This song has radio single quality as well and will easily be a crowd favourite at their live shows!
“Birds” is pretty and mid-tempo at the start, yet still moves swiftly. A road trip song for sure, I’m reminded of Dashboard Confessional meets Amber Pacific. High quality power pop with a vocal hook that will easily have the listeners singing loud.
Honestly, so far on this record there really is not a weak song yet. Tommy Alto have stepped it up on all levels musically and vocally.
Rock and roll guitar with plenty of groovy picking and more punk influenced pop would describe “Beneath The Rain On A Strange Rooftop.” The multi-layered guitar work is quite impressive and technical. There is so much going on in this song as it slows to a somber emotional bridge and breaks into an anthemic ending “This is what I call home!!”
A bit Taking Back Sunday, a bit Jimmy Eat World, dare I say? Tommy Alto has worked hard to stay within their own style of pop rock. In today’s world of modern music it’s difficult to toe that fine line, but if Tommy Alto is careful they may achieve that; if they make more songs like “Crowsnest,” which has a much softer touch. It is again very nice instrumentally and vocally. They recently performed this song live on CTV Vancouver (B.C. T.V. Network).
For a 7 track record they’ve put very choice songs on the album. Solid, mature, seasoned and still evolving, Tommy Alto have made Atlas \\ Patterson an indie record worth researching. Made by some quality young gentlemen who have already experienced more than most at a young age through tragedy, this record is definitely hopeful and inspiring. It’s worth a listen and Tommy Alto deserve the support of music fans for working so hard at making quality music.
Atlas \\ Patterson is a good summertime set of jams that definitely need to be experienced live, so make sure to check Tommy Alto’s Facebook and Twitter for tour dates across North America.
Rating: 4/5