Surgeons in Heat have been picking up a lot of steam lately. Their incessant gigging and recent national exposure, however sudden, isn’t without justification. This Wisconsin four-piece has earned it the right way — with solid songwriting and dedication. The band is almost the definition of finesse both live and in studio and the Midnight at Bellevue EP is yet another piece of indisputable proof.
This is the sound of a band realizing its creative potential and such is always thrilling to listen to. Frontman Johnathon Mayer continues to tinker with his falsetto to stunning effect, particularly on “If You Leave”, and always sounds effortlessly good in his vocal performance. The EP closes out with vocals floating, guitars jangling, the bass humming along and a relaxed drum pattern on “Flying Away”, bringing one of the year’s strongest EPs thus far to a very satisfying close.