Labels: Deep Elm
Review by: Tony Era
I have never heard this band before and don’t care if it’s on Deep Elm or not. This came with the complete artwork and another press release but I’ll come to them later.
I actually quite like this. It’s mid to fast paced throughout and has quite a dirty production, which I like a lot. The music is sloppy but tight and sounds probably exactly as they do live, which is a nice change from bands who need more oomph on record. They also go acoustic on a few songs which works really well and breaks the record up making it better to listen to in one go.
It’s hard to really compare them to anyone whilst also not being the most original band ever. It’s that kind of music that everyone makes when they first pick up a guitar, I can remember writing songs like this, hey maybe I could have had a record on Deep Elm too! The closest things I can think of would be a faster, happier Alice In Chains or maybe Chicago punks Woolworthy. Track five, “New and Entitled’ is one of my faves on here and is fast, rugged with a great chorus and nice vocals.
Which brings me on to one of main gripes about this band, his voice. Its in tune, it has a good range but I just don’t like it. If I ever realise who it reminds me of I’ll let you all know but for now it eludes me.
Another annoyance is why send out the full complete artwork, ready to transfer to a jewel case if I want to, and put one measly punch hole in the back corner. It just spoils it, even if I wanted to sell it on either no one would notice or they might even want a promo edition so please don’t do it in future as it kind of spoils the artwork, which is pretty good. Come to think of it this press release doesn’t annoy me that much honestly and the best part about is the quote at the end from the band that says, “We’re just a band. These are our songs.” This sums it up nicely as they obviously know what they do, don’t pretend to be anything else and do it as best as they can. I can say this is an album I will listen to regularly for possibly a long time.
If you like rocky but easy to listen to bands such as “The Weakerthans’ you will probably like this. I’m glad Deep Elm have put it out and I feel they have expanded a lot, I just wish they would stop calling it emo.