Space Age Knockout

The Boxing Lesson

Sounds Like: A psychedelic blend of Angels & Airwaves and The Mars Volta

Albums: “The Boxing Lesson EP” (2003), “Radiation” (2004), “Songs In The Key Of C” (2006) and “Wild Streaks & Windy Days” (2008)

Paul Waclawsky is not of this planet. In fact, the lead singer and guitarist for Austin, Texas-based band, The Boxing Lesson, may not even be of this galaxy. Maybe it’s his band’s outer space sound or their cosmos-exploring background?

Or maybe it’s because a three-person band was able to deliver a hell of an album that would require twice as many musicians in any other band? Now we’re on to something.

While comparisons can be drawn to many big name, mainstream talent, The Boxing Lesson, which includes Jaylinn Davidson on the synth and backup vocals and Jake Mitchell on the drums, have come from the great void to thrive on Austin’s indie roots and deliver “Wild Streaks & Windy Days,” one journey of an album that unfolds like a dream.

What’s most surprising about The Boxing Lesson is their ability to never really stay on one track – over the course of the 12 songs, they change styles and sounds again and again – and for three people, this is no small feat.

The album has fun when it needs to have fun (the synthy-pop tune “Brighter” and the quirky “Dance With Meow”), gets mellow at all the right times (like they’re tribute to early musical synth, “Dark Side Of The Moog”) but also knows when to get down and dirty like on the track “Freedom.” The melding of what sounds like a blaring siren over a punk-pop riff with Davidson piping “No! No! No! No!” in the background, smooth vocals from Waclawsky and a rollercoastering synth melody really come together for a head-bobbing song that channels a bit of Pearl Jam’s “Life Wasted.”

The band really shines on “Muerta” and “Timing.” The first is a spacey, trip that sounds like “Hotel California” crossed with The Mars Volta’s “The Widow,” and the latter has Waclawsky doing his best Chris Martin impression. Both are mellow and hollow in a beautiful way.

While some tracks run a bit long (looking at you “Scoundrel” and “Lower”), the whole thing is really an out of body experience as you’re beamed up into the unknown through your speakers. The Boxing Lesson prove that while similarities can be drawn to other bands, when it comes down to it they are The Boxing Lesson and no one else. Let’s just hope they don’t forget their Moog.

Check Out: "Freedom," "Muerta," "Timing" 

Rating For "Wild Streaks & Windy Days": 3.5/5