panda force

Even a few decades ago, being known as a "college band" was sort of a qualifying prefix; there is a hint of youthful promise, but there are also lower expectations associated with being pre-professional. The stakes were raised by precocious bands like Dispatch, Phish, MGMT and more recently Vampire Weekend-all bands formed in college. In fact, the concept of a "garage band" is essentially obsolete; with the advent of MySpace and iTunes, bands that would have once remained anonymous have achieved rock star status.

Within the Duke community the music scene is especially vibrant, with standouts such as Stella by Starlight and Smooch and the Big Hug. Another band seeking similar success is Panda Force, whose recent EP, Moon Soccer, shows signs of promise. Though only six songs long, the disc makes an immediate impression.

"Just Roll" could be mistaken for a mellower track by Incubus, just as "Lost at Sea" sounds like a track that might have been written by Guster. Panda Force takes the distinct task of shying away from the indie sound that has become associated with college rock and instead opt for a more traditional, classic rock sound. It works. They stick to the basics, with a steady rhythm between the songs, and don't get over-ambitious with their vocals or instrumentation.

As a young group comprised of young members, Panda Force offer a distinct voice among fierce competition. They may have to become more adventurous with their arrangements and compositions to progress from a good band to a great one, but they have time to spare.