The Skinny: Originally from Cleveland, Ligion relocated to the city of Nashville in hopes of making it big. Once committed to the Nashville scene the band took off, playing everywhere, anywhere, and with anybody (including Velvet Revolver, Staind, 3 Days Grace, etc.) They recently signed to Maple Jam/Bellum and released External Affairs on 3.21.07. The band consists of: Ligion on vocals, June on guitar and vocals, Seth on guitar and vocals, Johannes on drums, and Levi on bass. (Apparently, last names were removed to protect the innocent.)

The Rating:     What does this mean?

External Affairs rocks, plain and simple. This band employs three part harmonies and layers and layers of guitars that all intertwine seamlessly. What’s more, this album (and band in particular) has a really polished and professional sound. It seems like the band knows EXACTLY how they want their songs to sound and will always find just the right mix that portrays “their” sound. Another contributing cause to their sound is the vocal harmony that is present in the album. Sometimes it is front and center, and others it is subtler, but the harmonizing vocals really do play a part in their distinctive sound.

There is a decent amount of variety on the album for an indie rock band. Some songs sound very similar to something of the Stone Temple Pilot era (Reach, in particular), whilst others like Lost My Car makes you think that Ligion should be opening for The Killers, and yet other songs such as Carry Me seems like it would make Slash of Guns N’ Roses proud. And while that isn’t variety in an all-genre-encompassing way, it does show that Ligion is already far beyond their rivals for a band fresh out of the recording gates.

In short, this is a musician’s album. Not that the casual listener wont pop in the CD, put on some headphones, and either dance along or sing loudly with the catchy choruses. But overall the layers of sound and intelligent rhythm changes can be well appreciated by all kinds of rockers. Although this band may be known for working their asses of on the road and their rocking stage performances, External Affairs shows that Ligion can rock your world through your car speakers and not just in a bar or club down the road.

Not know them? Thier CD will fit in with: Velvet Revolver’s Contraband, Buckcherry’s 15, and Breaking Benjamin’s We Are Not Alone.