Spring Break
CD Review: Local band Hawkins Rise rocks out on What We're Like
Amanda Hales
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Entertainment
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04/04/07 - Hawkins Rise is a Rhode Island indie rock band on the rise with the release of its new album, What We're Like and Who We've Turned Out To Be. This album is a culmination of seven years of hard work and dedication.
Hawkins Rise formed in 1999 when two high school friends met at a coffee shop and decided to form a band. Joe Magnanti and Dan Simpson then went on the hunt to find two more musicians to complete the band.
Simpson had to look no further than his own family. They recruited Dan's cousin, Chris Simpson, to be the bass player. Magnanti then called drummer Joe Grasso to complete the foursome.
Hawkins Rise wanted to make an album that was completely original music composed by the band. The band started to record its album in 2005, but did not finish and release it until 2006. The members are now busy promoting their album across the country.
Indie rock is not really a genre I am familiar with; I am more of a pop music kind of girl and I'm not ashamed to admit it. So, when I went to listen to Hawkins Rise, I was not really sure what to expect.
When I put in the CD, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't think I was going to like what I heard, but it turned out to be the complete opposite. Instead, I wanted to hear more and more of the CD.
I was drawn in by the catchy choruses and melodies. Although most of my favorite songs are the typical love songs, I found myself getting drawn into the lyrics, even though they are not what I am typically drawn to.
My favorite song on the album is "Thru 2 You." It has that familiar sound of the classic rock era, but with a modern twist. The lyrics are catchy and got stuck in my head all day. I love the way the harmonies mix beautifully, but still maintain a rock 'n' roll edge to them. The melody is simple and super catchy, which I really like.
So overall, I give Hawkins Rise two thumbs up. It might not change my tastes from pop music to indie, but it definitely makes me want to try some other indie rock bands. These Providence natives' hard work has paid off - they have made a fan out of me.
Hawkins Rise formed in 1999 when two high school friends met at a coffee shop and decided to form a band. Joe Magnanti and Dan Simpson then went on the hunt to find two more musicians to complete the band.
Simpson had to look no further than his own family. They recruited Dan's cousin, Chris Simpson, to be the bass player. Magnanti then called drummer Joe Grasso to complete the foursome.
Hawkins Rise wanted to make an album that was completely original music composed by the band. The band started to record its album in 2005, but did not finish and release it until 2006. The members are now busy promoting their album across the country.
Indie rock is not really a genre I am familiar with; I am more of a pop music kind of girl and I'm not ashamed to admit it. So, when I went to listen to Hawkins Rise, I was not really sure what to expect.
When I put in the CD, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't think I was going to like what I heard, but it turned out to be the complete opposite. Instead, I wanted to hear more and more of the CD.
I was drawn in by the catchy choruses and melodies. Although most of my favorite songs are the typical love songs, I found myself getting drawn into the lyrics, even though they are not what I am typically drawn to.
My favorite song on the album is "Thru 2 You." It has that familiar sound of the classic rock era, but with a modern twist. The lyrics are catchy and got stuck in my head all day. I love the way the harmonies mix beautifully, but still maintain a rock 'n' roll edge to them. The melody is simple and super catchy, which I really like.
So overall, I give Hawkins Rise two thumbs up. It might not change my tastes from pop music to indie, but it definitely makes me want to try some other indie rock bands. These Providence natives' hard work has paid off - they have made a fan out of me.
