I sincerely doubt that anything on Chicago’s Central Standard new EP, will come as a surprise. It’s almost literally wearing its punk and alt-rock influences on its sleeve, by calling itself “Uniforms,” the band instantly references a formal garb, common to many. But what makes Central Standard different is Frankie Ostello. As the lead vocalist, he brings a sense of range and power to the band that I can’t imagine it having without him. It’s not that the musicians aren’t talented–there’s plenty of fuzzy guitar solos and varying tempos to play with behind Mr. Ostello, but somehow it’s his vocals that put a stamp on the band. Kind of like the way Gavin Rossdale turned a good band, Bush, into a very good band, just by showing up and singing.
Check ’em out.
