Torontonians The Heights like Angels & Airwaves. They really, really like Angels & Airwaves, which is the most readily apparent characteristic of “Soldier”, the opening track on their Drag Race on the Moon EP. Thankfully there’s enough tweaking and little digressions on the rest of this EP that make it possible to recognise a distinct sound, but it doesn’t happen nearly as often as it should.
Drag Race on the Moon is interesting, ambitious and has occasional flourishes of genuine creativity. The EP only seems to scratch the surface of what this band can do. Particular highlights are the anthemic "Devil" which has a melody made for remembering, while on "You Make Me" the riffs are the driving force of song. "Spinning Webs" is a Jack's Mannequin-evoking ballad that somehow doesn't seem out of place among the more upbeat songs on the rest of the EP. As catchy as the songs are, you can't help but wonder how much further The Heights could push their sound if their influences were less pronounced.
There are strong moments on this EP that make you sit up and listen, but there are also moments where the band’s influences are just, well, maybe too influential.
