Local Artist: As Tall As Lions

"Into the Flood" EP

"Into the Flood" by As Tall As Lions

By Emily Canty

Released exclusively through the iTunes online store, the new As Tall as Lions EP, “Into the Flood,” is as bitter as the frigid Hudson Valley winds yet, at the same time, remains romantic and hopeful. It’s a soundtrack to a reluctant mutual breakup and a farewell to a love that has slowly deteriorated. The addition of violins has added a great element to the ambient, trance experience that is As Tall as Lions.

The EP opens with “505,” a simple song with an acoustic guitar and string instruments that enter later on. Singer Dan Nigro sounds far away and croons, “I’ve lost my head to a girl / The only one in my world / Shining bright in my sky / Making sure I ain't crying / Or laying down and dying / Now I don't want to be alone.”

The title track, an extremely powerful song with a string ensemble (again), pays homage to a waning love. It’s beautifully heartbreaking and warming. “We’re the Ones That Keep You Warm at Night” is driven by resonating piano chords and smooth jazzy bass lines, thanks to bassist and barefoot-enthusiast Julio Tavarez. “I’m dreaming life away,” sings Nigro, and we can sympathize with the feeling of wanting to sleep forever.

“Breakers,” the fourth track, has a notable percussion interlude and sound effects that mimic wind blowing. The fifth and final song, “Blacked Out,” adds the mysterious element of guitar slides and has a slower tempo than the other tracks.

Because the shortened album is accessible only on iTunes, only registered iTunes store users can purchase it - $5 for five tracks. Despite the limited distribution, Lions still managed to make the iTunes’ top 40 during the week of its release. That’s not too bad for a band that has been around for only five years. And if you think they can’t be more appealing, Dan Nigro’s mom did the artwork for the album cover. Dan gets an enormous amount of “aw” points for that one. Along with this EP, the Lions also have two singles to add to your holiday playlist: “It’s Only Christmas” and “O Holy Night,” both released last year.

On “Into the Flood,” this Long Island band can tug on heartstrings you had no idea existed. Listen to Dan’s heartfelt voice on this EP and try not to empathize - it’s nearly impossible. If you’ve ever felt that you had to keep going in a relationship that was near dead, you’d probably want to give it a listen. And if you’ve never felt that way, you might just want to keep it for the future so you can cry along to it later. Thank you ATAL; my cold, winter heart has been thawed.