have a tendency to roll my eyes when a band comes out and says their influences include My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Radiohead, and Talk Talk. The whole striving to be atmospheric thing just doesn’t do it for me most of the time. And honestly, most groups merely cite these same inspirations for the sole, ever-important purpose of being hip. But what a wonderful surprise it is when a band allegedly influenced by these greats isn’t just name-dropping, and better yet, is actually getting it right.


Come Down is very explicit with the Radiohead and Talk Talk influence on Whose Side Are You On, Anyway?, the group’s second EP. Apart from “Hollywood English”, the songs all have at least some of the airy quality -- be it the light drumming, the calm bass, the lilting guitar melodies, or all three -- of Talk Talk’s Laughing Stock. Over this, Mark Pernice sings in a dragging voice that often makes you forget you aren’t listening to Radiohead (or Thom Yorke singing lead on a Talk Talk reunion tour).


Putting comparisons aside, though, Come Down proves to have estimable songwriting abilities with the four songs featured here. The title track, which is absolutely perfect for slowly nodding your head late at night, reveals some excellent musicianship (listen to those guitars shift around the vocals, it works). “Hollywood English”, a solid rocker, establishes a second, more propelling side to the band, even if it doesn’t stand up to the opener. “Morning” is another strong effort, similarly slow as the title track, but with a more guitar-oriented arrangement.


“Apparitions” closes the EP excellently, offering more in the way of originality than the other songs here, even if it doesn’t reach the same heights as the opener. Pernice drops the Thom Yorke quality from his voice, and the drums, although still quick, are a bit heavier, giving the song more power while maintaining the same atmosphere. The result is a very good song, even if the bridge is a bit irritating.


Whose Side Are You On, Anyway? does its job as an EP, leaving the listener wishing the band offered a bit more than it does. With only four songs, there just isn’t time for Come Down to show us much. Consequently, this EP serves as little more than a temporary introduction to the band. The main criticism that can be leveled at the band is that there’s just not enough variety between these few songs, and a little too much reliance on influences. More important at this point, though, is that Come Down definitely has talent, and promise to be great with a full-length release.