Max and the Wild Things: Hands Down Mans Down

Max and the Wild Things: Hands Down Mans Down Max and the Wild Things' debut EP, Hands Down Mans Down is a combination of alt-country and punk influences. The EP's opening track "Borrowed Time" is a playful country jaunt. The track reminds me of Bob Dylan's "Tombstone Blues" mixed with Against Me! Unfortunately that track is almost certainly the best track on the EP. The second track "Got No Money" is a banjo-based ballad about down-and-out kids in love. It's much more tame and more traditionally what would be considered country. "The Same" is another love ballad. The track contains traditional country instrumentation but a more classic r&b feel. The EP's closing track "Hybrid Moments" is the closest to achieving the same feeling as "Borrowed Time". The track is high energy and contains little country twang; it reminds me of the Strokes fronted by Calvin Johnson. Overall, the EP is pretty good for a debut. The slow stuff is okay but I think the more energetic country stuff is where the good stuff lies. Rating: 5.3/10 MP3: Max and the Wild Things "Borrowed Times" Buy: iTunes