Local CD Review

The Commonwealth

Souvenir

(thecommonwealth-music.bandcamp.com)

"Elephant," the atmospheric first single from the Commonwealth's debut EP, has already gotten plenty of local airplay. The song — an intoxicating mix of new-age guitars, clashing cymbals, and soaring vocals — is a great introduction to the indie rockers. There aren't too many bands in Cleveland that sound like the Commonwealth, who refer to their music as "orchestral pop rock." They come off a little like Radiohead on "Good Bye Wild" and the piano ballad "The Goldrush," both of which feature Andrew Kuhar's towering falsetto. "Indian Summer" rocks harder than Souvenir's other tracks, thanks to the driving guitars, which should bolster the songs onstage. — Jeff Niesel