Review of the self-titled Adonia EP

Photo courtsey of Taylor Dukehart

Adonia, an alternative rock band comprised of students from Bridgewater and James Madison University, released a self-titled EP Oct. 18.

The EP has five songs, all performed and recorded by Bryan Staudt, John Graybeal, Jason Wallace and Sean Abrams. Staudt and Graybeal collaborated to write the songs. Staudt plays guitar and sings lead, Graybeal plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, Wallace plays bass and Abrams plays drums.

The album starts out strong with the powerful song “Requiem,” written by Staudt. The song calls out to those who are lost, broken and hurting and tells them they “are not alone.” The song emphasizes distorted guitar, with dynamic vocals and pulsing drums and bass.

The next track, “She Looks to the Mirror,” was written by Graybeal. The song comforts girls who are jaded and judged by the superficial MTV world and promise that “you’re beautiful.”

In contrast to the first two songs, Graybeal’s “Something New” has a pop sound. It catches the listener’s ear and makes them want to sing along.

“Leave the Light On” shows the deeper side of Adonia. The song was written in remembrance of one of Graybeal’s high school friends, though it speaks to anyone who has lost a loved one to a tragic death. The track features layered vocals for a complex sound. The EP wraps up with “Distanthia,” a collaborated effort by Staudt and Graybeal, expressing the bittersweet intricacy of relationships.

Adonia’s musical role models color their work. Their sound is reminiscent of Switchfoot, Anberlin, Relient K, Foo Fighters and many other Christian and secular bands. The band tries to create music that is both musically interesting and uplifting, while still fitting into the genre of alternative rock.

“We want to reach out to those who don’t have Christ through our music,” Staudt said.

Staudt and Graybeal started the band over the summer, based out of Warrenton, Va. They spent the summer touring, creating Web pages and designing merchandise.

Wallace said the band has been “one of the best experiences of my life.”

All of the band members were in previous bands before Adonia. Staudt said they have pushed Adonia to a scope and magnitude they haven’t experienced in past bands.

The band promotes Adonia through word of mouth, online networks and shows.

To learn more about Adonia, visit www.myspace.com/adoniaband. Email Staudt (bas003@eagles.bridgewater.edu) or Graybeal (jjg00@eagles.bridgewater.edu) to book a show or purchase an album.