Review of Magnet
MAYBE IT’S A COINCIDENCE, OR MAYBE IT’S JUST A PERFECTLY NAMED SONG. REGARDLESS, IT’S DIFFICULT NOT TO FEEL THE PULL FROM “MAGNET,” THE DEBUT SINGLE FROM CLEVELAND’S VERY OWN WHIFFLER.
Whiffler is a brand new four piece band consisting of Nick Scotese (rhythm guitar/lead vocals), Jack McLaughlin (lead guitar/backing vocals), Cian Liaskos (bass/backing vocals), and Aidan Forrey (drums.)
Photo by Rebecca Aslanis (RebeccaAslanisPhotgraphy)
“Magnet” was written by rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Nick Scotese, and is based on a real life neighbor of his, a very solitary woman with whom Scotese had very few interactions. However, those few interactions led to an impression of her life which left a mark on Scotese, enough to write his band’s debut single about the persona which he perceived.
The song begins with the sound of a calmly picked palm muted guitar which is eventually joined by equally calm vocals. The lyrics match the tone of the vocals, telling of the lonely, even suspicious, woman in an almost furtive tone as if not wanting to be noticed.
SHE FILLS THE ROOM WITH EMPTY SPACE, WALLS THAT SHE COULD NEVER REACH
This line really paints the picture of a solitary life. It’s just her in that apartment. The empty walls remain that way because nobody is around to help her fill the space.
Suddenly, the music and lyrics both take a dark turn. The calm, muted guitar and unassuming vocals end abruptly as we hear a heavily distorted guitar kick in with a single strum as if to say “here the fuck I am.” The distortion of the guitar is met with the shift to urgency in the vocal delivery as Scotese lets out “she squeezed so tight, she left a mark upon their bodies!”
At the same point in the song, we hear Aidan Forrey’s drums make their first appearance along with the bass of Cian Liaskos. The driving rhythm section is joined by an infectious riff from lead guitarist Jack McLaughlin.
WHAT DO YA KNOW, YA GOT NO SOUL
When Scotese finally belts out the final utterance of the song’s refrain, it turns into what sounds like pure panic. The bass and drums sound beautifully frantic underneath McLaughlin’s wailing guitar, which sounds like it may catch fire at any second.
Whiffler’s rhythm section (Liaskos and Forrey) shines so bright in their debut, but certainly does not overshadow the incredible performances by McLaughlin and Scotese.
One thing that that really stood out to me that the casual listener may not pick up on is the mix. You can hear each instrument on its own, but they are placed together so well to complement each other. And the backing vocals melt perfectly into the lead, creating a wall of sound with voices instead of guitars.
What’s more impressive? They recorded and mixed the single themselves.
Photo by Rebecca Aslanis
A young band full of this much talent, and with the ability to record, produce, and mix this stunner of a debut, Whiffler is set to take the Cleveland music scene by storm in no time. Keep your eyes open.
Oh, and I would suggest that you go see their first ever show at the Mahall’s apartment on April 7th (alongside Mr. Princess and Tall Grass), but they will be performing for the first time ever in front of a completely sold out room.
