Dear Lions

Dear Lions EP

Interesting how you can suddenly throw two random musicians together, in this case vocalist Ricky Lewis and guitarist Adam Rubenstein, and it sounds like they’ve been playing together for years. Lewis and Rubenstein (sounds like the name of a law firm) were introduced by a common friend last year and have been working together as Dear Lions ever since. Their self-titled EP features five tunes that would please fans of indie rockers like Death Cab For Cutie as much as they’d please those who followed Rubenstein’s post-hardcore work in Indiana’s Chamberlain (formerly Split Lip). Lewis’ time in the Big Apple has really rubbed off in his vocal style which sometimes resembles the moroseness of Interpol (“Space Sister”); other times falling more into the soulful, singer/ songwriter realm of Jeff Buckley (“Darling”). Some of these songs even have moments of Britpop influence a la Pulp and Suede. Rubenstein is so strong here; it’s clear his guitar chops haven’t dulled while other ex-members of Chamberlain have been playing in the band Model/Actress. With Dear Lions, he’s able to continue forging what has become an almost patented guitar sound; stark notes poking out between the strummed chords. Along with Lewis’ confident drawl and intriguing lyrics, Dear Lions could become a formidable rock duo.

Arctic Rodeo http://www.arcticrodeorecordings.com

“Space Sister”