The moving melodies on Honest Engines' EP, Captain's Log, carry an extraordinarily timeless quality, which seem to incorporate classic influences such as the Beatles, along with touches of Wilco or Oasis topped by the vocal magnitude of Thom Yorke. The songs are extremely textured with soaring vocal harmonies, strings, keys and distorted guitar. The rhythm section shines with march-like beats that carry the somber melodies into a powerful arena, which acts to raise the listener's awareness of the sheer emotionality behind the various layers of instrumentation.

The EP's title track is a phenomenal poetic experience, almost disguised within a catchy pop rock chorus that could easily be compared to Oasis' "Wonderwall" or even the Beatles' "Across the Universe." The second track begins with an ambient, space-rock feel, appropriate for a song named "Asteroid." However, the introduction is no indication of what follows as the melody moves into a stark, beautiful tune that could almost pass for acoustic, until the climax is presented with intense cymbals crashing, guitar distortion andelegant harmonies behind vocals that continue to be stark and alluring.

The production of the record is crisp and the well-crafted tracks sparkle as the songs move through musical complexities in juxtaposition to pure and barren moments, leaving much to reflect upon. (Tandem Shop) X