Split [Vinyl], Casket Lottery, Vinyl

Almost two-and-a-half years in its creation, the SMALL BROWN BIKE & THE CASKET LOTTERY EP isn't another split release of throwaway songs, but a six-song collaborative effort in the truest sense, one born out of mutual musical respect, admiration and camaraderie. THE CASKET LOTTERY offer up a wicked new original, Composing Myself (A Lullaby), and the music for Boardinghouse, with SMALL BROWN BIKE contributing the lyrics and slightly harsher vocals, both of which continue THE CASKET LOTTERY's musically intricate, layered, lush and emotional blend of melody and aggression. SMALL BROWN BIKE ably picks up the gauntlet with their original, the jagged, pounding and propulsive Now I'm A Shadow, and the more measured and building Wrong Hometown, with THE CASKET LOTTERY taking over lyrical and melodious vocal duty. Akin musically and ideologically, yet possessed of distinct identities, these two post emo, punk, rock, 'whatever you got' warriors reach their greatest collaborative heights on the vocal and musical trade-offs of their reverent yet original cover of QUEEN's Under Pressure and their acoustic plaintive lament Riding With Death. Whether taking turns trading originals, combining music, lyrics and vocals, or coalescing into a unyielding juggernaut, this EP is a unique rarity, as it not only succeeds as a distinct and excellent musical collaboration, but retains each band's formative identity while establishing a brilliant new one in the process.