Ether Net is a four-piece indie rock band out of Cleveland. Their third full-length "More Strange Bruises" is on Requisite Recordings.
Although, to some the name might imply an electronic band, Ether Net puts the rock back into indie rock. Vocally, Robert Cherry has the distinctiveness of Thom Yorke, along with the confident attitude of Billy Corgan. Mixing experimental rock n' roll with intelligent lyrics, Ether Net is an original band with something to say.
"More Strange Bruises" starts with "Disco Crush," which has a funkier verse that leads into a chorus that chants, "Get up, it's time to move." Track two Chicago tones things down with a slower song about a broken relationship. Next is the best song on the album, "Medical Waste." The music tells a story that conveys the futility of running from your problems with lines like: "Moved to Chicago, but the blues found you there. You can't change people like clothes or your hair."
Track four "Wildebeest" is an instrumental song that showcases Ether Net's ambient sound, which carries into "Skyscraper Soul." Track six "The Exit Song" brings back the rock and talks about not looking back into the past: "The closest exit is behind us." Next is "Shine You Down," which features another anthemic chorus with a serious theme. The final song "Ghosts" ends the album with another solid song that has the promise of hope: "Please believe me, there's another way. Let me love you, we're both better than this."
Unfortunately, "More Strange Bruises" seems a little like an EP with seven songs and an instrumental track. With so few songs, the instrumental track seems a little pointless. Overall, there are a handful of good songs and a couple ones worth ignoring, but still the lyrics are right up there with Pedro the Lion. The best thing about the lyrics is that they deal with real issues and lessons that life teaches, which is quite refreshing.
Even though Ether Net is relatively unknown, they deserve some attention because they offer something interesting and unique to the indie scene. "More Strange Bruises" is a solid album, but is probably not Ether Net's best. Still, the music and lyrics are a breath of fresh air and are definitely worth checking out.
B
