AMG Review of Whirlpool

J. Edward Keyes
All Music Guide

The debut EP from California's the Prayer Chain is mostly by-the-numbers modern rock, offering a few odd moments of inspiration and vision. Guitarist Andrew Prickett is in love with his flange pedal, and he employs it heavily on tracks like the rollicking opener, "Mercy," and the breakout pop song "Shine." Stylistically, the Prayer Chain aren't too far off from contemporaries like Material Issue and pioneers like Echo & the Bunnymen, and there is a fresh-faced innocence to the songs on Whirlpool that make even the record's shortcomings oddly endearing. The band delivers a passionate statement of religious faith on "I Believe," but counters it with deep doubt on the all-acoustic title track. In these six songs, it is clear that the Prayer Chain are kicking against convention and anxious to find their voice.