It’s no secret that Max Bemis casts a large shadow on the current scene, being the creator of records revered throughout it, so when you’re picked to be the first band to release its debut on his Equal Vision imprint, Rory Records, it could potentially be overwhelming. Maybe a lesser band would have wilted under the pressure, but Tallhart is no such band, as the alt\u002Findie rock quartet seized their chance at breaking through by releasing one of the best EP’s of 2012, the six track Bloodlines.Throughout the EP are fantastic indie flourishes, such as the rich instrumentation on opener “Fever (Sister of Mine)” finishes with dizzying guitar leads, while “Wolves” folky demeanor is crafted towards perfection. The aptly titled “Brooklyn is Burning” is the best song Kevin Devine never wrote, as its soft intro slowly but surely rises in volume before flowing into a soothing outro.These Floridians also know how to write potential hits, as the jaunty “Drunk Kids” carries out the EP’s most infectious chorus – a chorus I envision being the background of the next “hip” commercial. The menacing “Holy War” displays Tallhart rolling up its sleeves and getting messy. The frantic track wraps up Bloodlines with some edge, as vocalist Matt Segallos passionately cries out, “oh you want a holy war?” over buzzing guitars.After just one listen to Bloodlines, you may be somewhat surprised that Tallhart isn’t on Favorite Gentleman’s roster, given the similarities to Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra. But it’s better this way, as Tallhart’s debut EP sets the path for Rory Records to become a taste maker in the scene. This is not a imprint that wants to sign Say Anything wannabes, as some people may be predisposed to think. Rather, this is an imprint searching for bands that aren’t afraid to challenge themselves and listeners alike. Tallhart couldn’t have been a better choice to get that message out.