What Ever Happened, as a whole, contain every element expected of an alternative band rising through a local music scene. Composed of two high school students playing Nirvana and The National inspired tunes in small venues around town, they hit every mark on the dart board of typical steps toward local recognition. They are known specifically for their slow-paced and somewhat brooding tunes paired with an infatuation for Matt Berningeresque vocal work. This makes What Ever Happened, at its core, what every modern alternative listener in El Dorado seeks in a group, at least from a broad view. With hope in mind to implant themself as a solid name in the rather scarce local music scene, they have recently released their debut self-titled EP. Consisting of four tracks, they pick and choose from their grab bag of influences in an attempt to capture the sound that has hovered slightly out of reach during their live performances.
Easily the most identifiable and upgraded facet of the group’s makeup is the addition of a drumming track, something sorely lacking from their live shows. As a whole, each composition sounds more complete and calculated (as well as on-time) with even the simplest of drumming patterns to back them. “Walk the Streets”, a song that once felt bare and lacking structure now hits its chorus with a noticeable strength that properly blends the guitar and bass. The same goes for “White Lies”, one of the more volatile tracks to come from the group. It is a simple aesthetic change, but an unmistakably important one.
The content of the songs, however, can find themselves struggling for life as they play on. With choruses such as “I walk these streets alone/and I can’t find my way home” and general subject matter that doesn’t stray far from the conventional, vocalist William Swan can often times blend into the scenery. With his borderline monotone singing and small range, he struggles to hit any notes that could add to the variety of the music, leaving it predictable and dragging. Those who have watched the band from its infancy, however, will spot an undeniable improvement from earlier, less technical concoctions.
With an above average vernacular and an obvious knowledge of what makes good music work as a whole, What Ever Happened have created an EP worthy of acknowledgement. Where it falls short is also where it prevails, however. The influences, while properly utilized and tangible within the songs, often feel tired as the album reaches its short conclusion. Basic styles and themes are placed carefully in the music, but are never quite acted upon to make them unique or wholly their own entity. What Ever Happened certainly has style, it just isn’t aware of how to give it a voice.
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