Crashland - The Devoted EP  FOD 032 The Devoted EP sounds like a perfectly executed comeback that, in all honesty, it is. From the raucous tones of opener, Karaoke Ballad with its gradual realisation that perhaps everything is a bit crap to the scathing and bitter sentiments trawling through Devoted, Sugar Shack's throw of the dice could pay dividends when the majors come calling for Crashland's signature once more. Lead singer Alex Troup falls into that classic mould of stars born for this lifestyle, with more than a knowing reference to the complexities of relationships and the daily drudgery that life can throw up. Nowhere is this more evident than The Devoted EP that brings to the forth the emotions Crashland were evidently going through during their recent hiatus. Catapulting a mix of angst and pent-up frustration coupled with a blistering guitar sound - only relenting during the godlike Devoted - Crashland sound like a band on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and all the better for it! The closing, Money Shot is a perfect example of the thin line Crashland appear to be teetering on with its pounding, driving rhythm climaxing with Alex Troup hollering: "There's a distance between us. Yeah, we come undone. There's a distance between us. Yeah, we come undone" is worthy of the admission fee alone. The Devoted EP is not a return to form but a monumental achievement from a band who are still looking up at the stars when the odds seemed heavily stacked against them.

Full track listing is; Karaoke Ballad Devotion Passive Agressive Money Shot FOD 032 Sugar Shack Records 4 Track cd ep