Reviewed by Anthony Longville

Los Angeles-based Standing Shadows deliver their debut album and describe this style as "alternative-indie-electro rock". To those of you who know about such things two of the band's songs feature on Guitar Hero 5! The band is built around founding members David Miltenberger (vocals, keys) and Dan Silver (guitars, bass, keys). A strong musical influence on the band is said to be My Bloody Valentine. The electronica opening, quickly gives way to Edge-like chiming before letting rip with a heavy guitar riff on "High Rise". Rock is the predominant vehicle here but the influences are mixed as on "One Way Ride" where a funky guitar is layered with electronic sounds. There's some strong keyboard moments too as on "Be Free". It's all well done and there's sufficient variety in the songs to maintain interest throughout the 13 tracks, ending appropriately with "Fade Away" which gently well err. . . fades away at the end there. A strong start from a band with a self-proclaimed mission to impact the indie music scene in 2010.

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