South Carolina’s unsigned Cities Apart are looking to state their claim on today’s ever-growing rock scene. Channeling Taking Back Sunday and other popular artists, they have produced a debut EP worthy of playing through your speakers.

There’s nothing overly groundbreaking on “Anniversary,” but proficient songwriting and musicianship is present. There’s some especially sick bass lines sprinkled throughout the disc.

“Lost and Found” opens the album on a high note. “Softly Spoken” opens strong with and has a great bridge, but the first part of the chorus falters a bit. “Agree to Disagree” has one of those bouncing bass lines I mentioned earlier that I thoroughly enjoy. “1,000 Miles Off Course(We Want to Survive) starts off rocky, but picks up about halfway through. Had the whole song been consistent, this would have been the best track on the album. The powerful “Muddy Water” would be the perfect backing track to a commercial for this band. Finally, “Honesty Kills” forgetfully closes the disc as the weakest song present.

I’d like to hear what the band could do with a larger production budget. There’s plenty of potential here, and with time, I’m sure they will take the next step and come into their own. If their new demos are any indication, the next album will be leaps and bounds above how good this EP already is.

Track Listing:
1. Lost and Found
2. Softly Spoken
3. Agree to Disagree
4. 1,000 Miles Off Course(We Want to Survive)
5. Muddy Water
6. Honesty Kills