The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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‘They Walk in Line’ combines different genres of rock

Rarely does such an exclusively inimitable talent rise up from the indie scene, but in this case, it reached out from the likes of four young music enthusiasts named Michael Romero, Paul Bayze, Kevin Kolpien, and Niaz Chakravarty.

Together, this rambunctious group form “They Walk in Line,” and on Feb. 8 they released their first full-length album titled “Medical Necessities.”

In this album, there lies a distinct style, one that sounds very familiar to those of us who grew up listening to Alkaline Trio, but unmistakably contains signature subtleties that highlight the band’s independent faculty and largely autonomous style. Every member of the band subscribes to different genres of rock, and as a result, they’ve drawn from some of their personal influences like Slow Dive, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and My Bloody Valentine to create this anthology of love songs for today’s wholesome all-American pair. A pair of crazy, rebellious young punks listening to music inside an old Cadillac parked along the beach.

Each member’s contribution to this piece is a key variable to the success of their music. TWIL’s members are able to retain their unique qualities and still create songs that come together flawlessly.

One song that stands out from the rest on the basis of music alone is “Could I Have a Feeling So Warm.” In the beginning, there’s a definite rockabilly vibe, but the song loses that quality very quickly and becomes sort of a new age cult-classic show tune.

Earlier, I had a chance to speak to Romero, and he filled me in on some key information regarding “Medical Necessities,” and the band in general.

According to Romero, the band’s main focus is its live performance. The songs are written and performed like a jam session. The guitar licks are simple and concise, the bass lines flow, the percussion is consistent and steady with heavy emphasis on accuracy over ostentation, and the lyrics are well written. During their shows, TWIL conducts themselves in a versatile manner. They go on stage with an outline for how the performance should follow, but the audience contributes in large part to how the show ultimately plays out.

One song in particular that was impressive was “Heart Attack at 5 AM.” I asked Romero to elaborate on it to give fans a clearer understanding of the feelings in place during its inception.

“It was written during a transitional period during a very personal relationship. It had a lot to do with a very important person,” said Romero.

He went on to say that the title was a figurative way of describing this intense emotional feeling coming down on him like a “big weight” on his chest.

They always say that sadness makes for the best poetry, but TWIL doesn’t need just that to make them great. They’ve got an adaptive and clinching style that seems to have already attracted a considerable fan base for a rock band still in its infantile years.

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