Album Review: Distances – Chris Beyer

Once in a rhythm guitarist of a pop/punk/alternative group called For What It’s Worth, Chris Beyer decided to launch a solo career with a mission to get young listeners to appreciate older music and older listeners to branch out to modern pop music. This mission will come in a form of a seven-track EP, “Distances”.

Set for release on 8th January, his debut offering alternate between almost acoustic and intimate performances, adopting the smoothness of Ed Sheeran and raging pop/rock spirit of Maroon 5 and arguably a hint of Jimi Hendrix.

Although the EP could be widely described as a mainstream pop and rock set, Beyer has incorporated different genres. “Bad luck” is probably the best track of the EP and possibly a great contender for the mainstream charts. The intricate guitar riffs create a hint of a bluesy feel before erupting into intervals of volcanic sensations throughout the song.

“I Hope So” gives the opportunity for a modern take on folk music to make an entry in the EP, perfectly seeping through a feather light and slight racy rock fusion. Like “Bad luck”, final track, “Medicine” could easily find its way to the mainstream charts and radio stations, thanks to a lick of funk, injecting straight through the attention-grabbing rock/pop arrangements that’s similar to a cross between Maroon 5 and Jimi Hendrix.

This Long Islander is definitely onto something here: “Distances” EP has that worldwide appeal and has all the ingredients to appease listeners of all ages.

“Distances” will be available through Bandcamp.