The Noise FM

The six songs of former Kansans/now Chicagoans The Noise FM’s Enclave carom between sounding like a more restrained, much less proggy Muse and less glam, toned-down Killers – which is a good thing to these ears. If only these six originals were a bit more interesting, a tad less repetitive, and had more lyrics like the third cut’s “Of all the mistakes I made/The best was you.” - Illinois Entertainer

The six songs of former Kansans/now Chicagoans The Noise FM’s Enclave carom between sounding like a more restrained, much less proggy Muse and less glam, toned-down Killers – which is a good thing to these ears. If only these six originals were a bit more interesting, a tad less repetitive, and had more lyrics like the third cut’s “Of all the mistakes I made/The best was you.” - Illinois Entertainer

“Who we are. Tell us all who we are. Who we are. Make us something real,” beg the recent Lawrence, Kansas transplants of alternative-rock trio The Noise FM on “Who We Are,” the aptly titled closing track of 2010 release Enclave. For a band that spent the five preceding tracks firmly establishing “who they are” as artists, it’s an intriguing choice for a closer, at once confident in their identity, but also seemingly petitioning for feedback. Regardless of personal interpretations towards the track and its placement, whatever it is that The Noise FM is selling, I’m not only alert, but I’m buying.

On Enclave, the trio’s groove-driven rock calls to mind prior appropriate comparisons to acts like Muse and The Killers, achieving a sound that is large, even anthemic, without the preconceived notions of false authenticity that can come with such an assessment. Also acting in The Noise FM’s favor is the album’s length. At six tracks, listeners get just a bit more of a taste than the average EP without additionally falling victim to the filler tracks that can bog down a forced full-length of 10-12 tracks.

With that being said, Enclave finds its peak where many albums falter, in the middle tracks of “Best Mistake” and “In Your Orbit.” While “In Your Orbit” is a darker number with a, dare I say, sexy, pulsating backbeat, “Best Mistake” cheerfully proclaims, “Of all my mistakes, the best that I’ve made was you.” Arguably the catchiest track on the album, it’s nearly impossible to walk away from the number without a shimmy, shake or foot tap and a hit of the “repeat” button. Immediately following the poppy song, “In Your Orbit” tonally channels acts like Nightmare Of You with a touch of the brooding. Successful for entirely different reasons, the two highlight the best parts of The Noise FM – strong vocals, groove-y (not groovy) hooks and songs that are just plain fun. - Chicago Tunes

The Noise FM follows their 2008 full-length Dream of the Attack with the 2010 EP Enclave, a recording that blends big beat rock with curvy dance grooves and bold vocal delivery.

Enclave displays attributes similar to its predecessor; namely, the material on the EP is also radio ready and energetic. The band’s electro rock meets sinuous pop sound is dynamic, intense, full of bravado. Refined production, engineering, and mastering on these six tracks only enhances the sheer talent of Alex Ward, Austin Ward, and Oliver Mosier.

The EP begins with “The Vault,” a taut number charged with energy, crisp drums, and an urgent guitar riff. The band generates a hard-knuckled sound bolstered by programmed effects.

The slinky bass line on the first single “I Can’t Stop” circulates between downbeat percussion and a dance club vibe. 2008 KJHK Farmer’s Ball Champion Hawley Shoffner contributes her pipes to the vocals.

Three tracks in, the band continues to flex their solid, muscular sound and flaunt dramatic pop flair on “Best Mistake.” Listen to Oliver Mosier’s bass romp like a gang of coeds streaking through the streets with not a care in the world. The music is compact and explosive, the vocals intense and emotive. “Time Will Tell” is sexed up with ooh-ooh vocals and expressive guitar work that underscores driving vocals.

What sets The Noise FM apart from other area rock acts––bands with impressive music chops––is a vocal prowess that leaps out of the speakers, that leaves no corner of a dark rock club untouched. Musically, The Noise FM plays with exuberance and confidence on Enclave.

If there is a weak spot on this EP, then it’s the lack of a song that wholly breaks from the path established with Dream of the Attack and treads into daring new territory, that sheds the skin of a well-defined sound to introduce new wrinkles. Perhaps if this release were a full-length with two or three more tracks, then we might discover three minutes where the band took some more chances creatively. That said, The Noise FM have a polished repertoire that squarely conveys a solid sound, musically and vocally. - Present Magazine

The Noise FM follows their 2008 full-length Dream of the Attack with the 2010 EP Enclave, a recording that blends big beat rock with curvy dance grooves and bold vocal delivery.

Enclave displays attributes similar to its predecessor; namely, the material on the EP is also radio ready and energetic. The band’s electro rock meets sinuous pop sound is dynamic, intense, full of bravado. Refined production, engineering, and mastering on these six tracks only enhances the sheer talent of Alex Ward, Austin Ward, and Oliver Mosier.

The EP begins with “The Vault,” a taut number charged with energy, crisp drums, and an urgent guitar riff. The band generates a hard-knuckled sound bolstered by programmed effects.

The slinky bass line on the first single “I Can’t Stop” circulates between downbeat percussion and a dance club vibe. 2008 KJHK Farmer’s Ball Champion Hawley Shoffner contributes her pipes to the vocals.

Three tracks in, the band continues to flex their solid, muscular sound and flaunt dramatic pop flair on “Best Mistake.” Listen to Oliver Mosier’s bass romp like a gang of coeds streaking through the streets with not a care in the world. The music is compact and explosive, the vocals intense and emotive. “Time Will Tell” is sexed up with ooh-ooh vocals and expressive guitar work that underscores driving vocals.

What sets The Noise FM apart from other area rock acts––bands with impressive music chops––is a vocal prowess that leaps out of the speakers, that leaves no corner of a dark rock club untouched. Musically, The Noise FM plays with exuberance and confidence on Enclave.

If there is a weak spot on this EP, then it’s the lack of a song that wholly breaks from the path established with Dream of the Attack and treads into daring new territory, that sheds the skin of a well-defined sound to introduce new wrinkles. Perhaps if this release were a full-length with two or three more tracks, then we might discover three minutes where the band took some more chances creatively. That said, The Noise FM have a polished repertoire that squarely conveys a solid sound, musically and vocally. - Present Magazine

"Dream Of The Attack...rivaling anything released by The Bravery or The Killers..." - KCInk Magazine

"Dream Of The Attack...rivaling anything released by The Bravery or The Killers..." - KCInk Magazine

"Though informed by the FM radio euphemisms classic rock and modern rock, the Noise FM strives for a considerably more intelligent sound. The Lawrence trio does, however, maintain rock radio’s polished accessibility. Tight and technically proficient, the Noise’s music is often aggressive but always closely calibrated, with equal attention paid to searing melodies and killer riffs..." from Pitch.com - KC Pitch

"Though informed by the FM radio euphemisms classic rock and modern rock, the Noise FM strives for a considerably more intelligent sound. The Lawrence trio does, however, maintain rock radio’s polished accessibility. Tight and technically proficient, the Noise’s music is often aggressive but always closely calibrated, with equal attention paid to searing melodies and killer riffs..." from Pitch.com - KC Pitch

"The Noise FM is a polished trio that moved to Lawrence last year after spending their teenage years in Fort Scott, KS. The group's melodic, kick-ass rock tunes take inspiration from top-shelf woodshedders like Muse and Queens of the Stone Age..." from Lawrence.com - Lawrence.com - Lawrence, KS

"The Noise FM is a polished trio that moved to Lawrence last year after spending their teenage years in Fort Scott, KS. The group's melodic, kick-ass rock tunes take inspiration from top-shelf woodshedders like Muse and Queens of the Stone Age..." from Lawrence.com - Lawrence.com - Lawrence, KS

"Recent Lawrence, KS transplants, these new kids on the scene play an emotive indie-pop informed by the likes of Placebo, Muse and David Bowie..." from Therecordbar.com
- The Record Bar Blog - KC, MO