Little Geronimo are a five-piece based in Jacksonville who play a compelling mix of pop, arena rock, post-hardcore, and indie rock. They have mainstream sensibilities but weave in elements of alternative genres seamlessly, providing the listener with an interesting and varied experience.
Their debut EP released in 2017, “Kingdoms,” is a perfect showcase of these varied elements on display. For one, they employ smart use of samples and ambient sections. For instance, the thunderous and atmospheric intro on “Postman” or the clock sample from “Inchworm.” A lot modern bands tend to shy away from samples but if used correctly, they add additional thematic layers to peel back.
Under the umbrella of variety, this EP features a lot of fundamentally different tracks that are all held together by a rich instrumental cohesion. The band tackle a lot of different styles including a pop-driven song with heavier and more complex instrumentals (Postman), a quasi R&B inspired ballad with plenty of snark and charisma (Inchworm), a song that sounds like it could have been on a 311 record (Time Shepherd), and a slightly more reserved Dance Gavin Dance-esque track (Thunder).
Despite all of these different genres being pooled into one EP, the band does a really good job at honing in on what makes these different styles enjoyable. It seems to me like the band took the time to flesh out all of these ideas fully because there isn’t one song that feels underwritten or like they were running out of ideas. The themes were all thoroughly explored, proven by the fact that there isn’t a single track under three minutes. They very much build on the foundation that their source material created but do a great job at wearing all kinds of different hats and putting a unique spin on it.
Vocalist Brandon David has a ton of presence behind the mic and you can’t help but feel empathetic toward the lyrical content. A lot of the topical themes on the EP have a positive message, revolving around things like being happy with yourself, doing the things you love, following your dreams, and love. While it’s not positive the entire runtime, that’s definitely the prevalent emotional resonance I got from the EP. David’s vocal talents are extremely solid as well. He tends to stay more in the mid-range but can and will soar into that upper register when necessary, like on the track “Time Shepherd.” There’s also a short scream at the end of that track in case the hardcore kids were feeling left out. David is also able to emulate different genres surprisingly well, for example on the track “Postman,” where he essentially turns himself into a Backstreet Boy momentarily. Another important moment for me vocally was the empowering declaration of “The tiger was me,” on “Thunder” followed by looped screams and distorted cacophony. In my opinion, this track is one of the most bright and shining moments on the EP.
The guitar work (written by Brandon and performed by Adam Rohrer and Nick Slaveski) is admirable as well, employing all manner of jangling, noodling, and spacey melodies. The most interesting and rewarding guitar moments are found in the slick guitar licks of “Change” that help make the transitions in songwriting compelling and gripping. The guitar passages on “Thunder” are also incredible, with stop-start muted chugging and noodly, winding fret acrobatics. Some aspects of this song remind me of Hail the Sun in the best way possible.
The drums are punchy and tight, carrying the remaining instruments masterfully. David Kennedy employs mouth-watering fills throughout the record but most notably on standout “Thunder.” The bass on this EP does a good job at standing out and separating itself from the guitar parts. Brandon David, who wrote the bass parts, excels at bringing a noticeable and head-bobbing groove to the tracks where bass is more audible. I wish the bass had been a little bit higher up in the mix so as to have it stand out a bit more. One of the standout bass moments is found on “Time Shepherd,” where David goes all-in on the reggae vibes and crafts some delicious, thumping basslines.
The final takeaway and analysis of this EP is this: give it a listen if you like music. If you like music in general for any reason, chances are that these tracks will resonate with you on some level. Since this is their first release, they have a long journey ahead in honing in on their sound and finding what works best synergistically but this is a damn good start.
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