Idiot Pilot touches down in Ohio

A duet has never sounded so strong when listeners are faced with Bellingham, Wash. band Idiot Pilot.

Friends since elementary school, members Daniel Anderson and Michael Harris excite and surprise on their sophomore full-length album, Wolves, which was released on Feb. 12.

It's easy to say Idiot Pilot's sound has hints of numerous bands, but after enough time has passed, doesn't anyone with a decent amount of talent channel Radiohead or Muse, at least a little bit?

What Idiot Pilot achieves though, is making a psychedelic sound all their own. Some bands copy, while others are products of inspiration. The inspiration shines through on Wolves.

"Last Chance" sounds like a trip to Saturn, if Saturn were having a dance party. Both Anderson and Harris sing on the album, and their vocals are a chilling combination.

But chills someone experiences who just saw a beautiful man (or woman) walk down the street.

"Cruel World Enterprise" is one example of how different each song sounds on the 10-track album. The lyric, "Concentrate on making love" echoes throughout the song, almost like an obvious subliminal message. And it works.

"Red Museum" sounds like Muse on acid. It is by no means too hard but Anderson and Harris occasionally release screams usually reserved for death metal bands. Which is refreshing considering they could easily become boring like the track, "Theme from the Pit." It doesn't really fit with the rest of the tracks and keeps the listener from the best, last and longest track, "Recurring Dream." It's like an anthem of delicate melodies and almost non-existent vocals.

It's a nice ending to an album that leaves the listener guessing what is going to come next. Wolves may seem all over the place, but this is a clever trick.

Anderson and Harris stay firmly planted on the ground with their music, and standing still suddenly doesn't sound so bad.

Idiot Pilot is scheduled to perform in Dayton, Ohio at Hara Arena on March 7 for Rock Star Energy Drink's "Taste of Chaos" tour at 5 p.m. Tickets are $29.50. For more information, visit rockstartasteofchaos.com.

Hara Arena is located at

1001 Shiloh Springs Rd. Dayton, Ohio 45415.