Movies with Heroes is one of the hardest working bands that I know. If you take a close listen to "The Slate", and a look into the history of this band you should begin to realize what I'm talking about. This five song EP really only disappointed me in one way and that's simply due to the fact that it's an EP. I was anxious to hear an entire album worth of material from these guys since changing their name and adding a second guitarist.
Hailing from Lancaster Pennsylvania, Movies with Heroes would probably be best described as an indie rock band with pop appeal. Although their music isn't necessarily straight up pop the band has enough melodies and harmonies to bring in that pop element that seems to catch my attention every time. What you hear on "The Slate" is a seasoned band. One that you can tell has been at it for a while and one that has a dedication to their music that just won't quit. Many bands have come and gone from the Lancaster PA music scene. Some great ones such as the Innocence Mission, Cherry Twister, Denison Witmer and Jawbone Hill...with the exception of a few, these guys are still at it continuing to grow and entertain crowds throughout the east coast.
This EP opens up with the track, "Hurricanes and Runways", which some of you may recognize if you picked up the limited CDR the band pressed up with their good friends Ran Away to Sea (also from Lancaster PA). Hurricanes is the strongest track on the album and is the song I would pick to play for someone that was interested in hearing what the band is all about. "Screenplay" also on that CDR with Ran Away to Sea is where the new name of this group originated. A lyrically clever song about "movies with heroes". Again the only downside to this release is the album length, with only 5 tracks this glimpse of Movies with Heroes has the listener already anticipating the next full length.
B
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Nate BaileyLancaster Pennsylvania's own Movies with Heroes present their best release to date. Five songs of poppy melodic rock with well written songs and catchy harmonics. This isn't one of those CD's where the songs all blend together and you're left hoping the end is right around the corner. The music is mature and laid back because instead of playing to the audience, the band plays from the heart and…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Bert GanglAlmost from the very beginning, pop/rock's more memorable compositions have been a sure-fire combination of driving beats, catchy lyrics, and heartfelt vocals--all tied firmly to a sturdy melodic foundation. The Slate, the second EP from Pennsylvania's Movies with Heroes, succeeds nicely on several of these counts. The frenetic, U2-inspired guitar runs and highly rhythmic vocal technique of…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerThis is a decent disc from the Lancaster, PA band, but it paves no new ground. Most of the album is pretty standard indie rock/emo fare, not too far off from their earlier work. Fans of emo will recognize, at once, the traditional emo vocals and guitars. The first song, "Hurricanes and Runaways" juxtaposes Hurricane Floyd with perceptions of the fashion world, pointing out the absurdity of our…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Chris MacIntoshThis five song ep is my introduction to the Pennsylvania based group that goes by the name "Movies With Heroes." The quartet consists of Keith Wilson on vocals, guitars and lyrics, Jeff Royer on bass guitar and vocals, John Donahue on guitar, french horn and keyboard and Jeremy E. Bentley on drums. Although short in length, this disc is very impressive in quality and content. Production was…Similar sounding releases
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