Review 7 MILES TO PITTSBURGH “Beyond Repair”

7 Miles To Pittsburgh hail from Eindhoven Rock City and got their start in 2017. The band is the brainchild of Joris Lindner and Martin Helmantel, both established musicians in the Dutch rock scene and well beyond it. What began as a passion for sophisticated rock music wasn’t originally intended to become a full-fledged band. But once Andrew Elt came on board, the songs started taking shape, and leaving that material to gather dust in a drawer would have been a waste.

So, despite what the name might suggest, 7 Miles To Pittsburgh are not from the United States but from the Netherlands. The name was chosen mainly because it sticks in your head — and that strategy still seems to be working. After releasing two studio albums, however, things went quiet. There had been no significant new release since 2019, but that is about to change.

Seven years after their second album, Beyond Repair is finally hitting the shelves. The lead single, “Pacific Coast Highway,” already made one thing clear: the band hasn’t lost its touch during the long break. It’s an elegant rock song that practically lets you feel the breeze in your hair as you cruise the Pacific Coast in a convertible.

The powerful “Half Way There” was the next track to surface, and it takes things into darker territory. Big melodic arcs occasionally break through the gloomy atmosphere, giving the song just enough light to keep it moving.

The progressive side of the band comes into focus right from the opening track, “All Men Are Created Equal” — a song built around a statement that feels more relevant than ever. At the same time, it’s a pointed accusation aimed at those who believe they’re somehow better than everyone else and use power for their own benefit.

Looking at the musical backgrounds of the members, the band’s range of influences comes as little surprise. Hard rock and prog rock are clearly part of the equation, but there are also traces of stoner rock. The songs work through several layers, while more straightforward rockers like “Kansas” make sure things never get too cerebral. 7 Miles To Pittsburgh have a knack for writing melodies that stick around long after the song is over. At the same time, they can turn up the pulse with tracks like the pounding “Elevator Music.” The latter takes a little time to reveal all of its details. That patience pays off, though, as the song may well be the most complex and intricate version of 7 Miles To Pittsburgh found on the album.

To loosen the reins again, the band closes things out with a straight-up hard rock number. “The Lies You Promised to Keep” still throws in a few more intricate twists, but overall it’s more accessible than “Elevator Music,” making it a fitting way to bring the album home.

Fans of sophisticated rock should definitely give Beyond Repair a spin. This is a band that knows what it wants and has the musical chops to turn its ideas into songs that work. No unnecessary fireworks — just well-crafted rock with enough layers to keep coming back for another listen.