A few months after Rochester-based Blue Falcon released their debut EP First Flight, I finally caught onto the tail feathers of an album that explores a classic blues and rock sensibility with a modern twist on high and intentional lyrics, commenting on the state of politics and a post-internet age ridden with misconstrued messages and twisted concepts of fame. The tracks spawn one catchy melody after another and follow a cohesive message and musical thread that gives First Flight its conviction. 

"Slow Drag" as the opening track immediately ensnares the listener with a seductive, drawn out lead-in guitar and slightly atonal bass. John Viviani's vocals stand out tall above the velvety instrumental. He has a wide range that reaches the higher notes without constraint, articulating in a rhythmic and deliberate manner. "Slow Drag" takes a quick twist in tempo and Ben Stephanus' bass riffs pick up with sharp accuracy and speed that's not too disconcerting. As an important contrast to the intense ending of "Slow Drag", "Tellin' Lies" picks up with a wonderful minor dissonance. One can tell these guys have years of experience under their belt, as these tracks are crafted intelligently to promote rhythmic exchanges at the flick of a riff, only to swirl back into the initial groove and follow another thought train.

Toward the center of the EP, "Growing Up American" and "Internet Celebrity" speed up with an egging percussive stroke led by Devon Tramell. The vocals turn to a more lax, speech-song style that works well with the wording. "Growing up American/ thinking you are better than" is the protest slogan that's repeated to create an effect of propaganda. Similarly, "Internet Celebrity" weaves a narrative with "You're an internet celebrity/ got thousands of friends you'll never meet" and "do you ever think of the way things used to be/ before you chose to live inside a screen." Using a choppy, punchy guitar and bass pairing with percussive stings in the center gives a heat to the lyrics and the frustration with a warped-ideal that's cut-off from reality. 

First Flight ends with the strongest track "See Ya Self" a blues-rock reggae rhythm that is heavy on the groove and light-hearted and endearing in its lyrical counterpart. "You don't have to worry about a thing" uses a layered, call and response technique to enhance the spacious and absorbing feeling of the tune. "See Ya Self" wraps up this tight-knit, well-done EP and flags Blue Falcon as an act to keep an eye on.

Grade: B