Labels: Ignition
Review by: Tom Sloan
OK, so let me put this review into a bit of context for you: when Shudder To Think’s “Ten Spot album’ came out I was 6 years old, and by the time of ‘50,000 B.C’ in 97′ I was still in middle school. So don’t expect any “this is an interesting take on”¦’ type comments in this review I’m afraid. But anyway, here’s the songs, 18 cover versions from 5 albums and 1 soundtrack.
The Medicine Wheel “” Jade Dust Eyes. An Indie rock band. I think I’m going to be using that description a lot in this review. Not bad, post-sunny day vox, nice melody but all a bit low-key to be honest. I’m sure the original sounded better.
Mancado “” Rag. In terms of sound, they could quite easily be the same band as the one before. Quirky quiet bits, with a really quite pleasant warm chorus-part, I enjoyed this.
Springhill “” On the rain. They sound a lot like Brandston a couple of albums back, with the singing style anyway. Mid to fast paced, catchy, solid pop-punk effort with slightly dodgy sounding keyboards at the end.
Rydell “” Heaven Ditty. Typically excellent stuff from the Brits. According to the inlay, this somehow fuses two Shudder to Think songs into one. Amiable, jangly acoustic guitar and twinkles with the singer sounding noticeably less gruff than usual. That is, until the distortion part kicks in (I’m guessing the part from the other STT song they’ve used) and it goes all powerful with the return of that familiar throatiness. So far on this cd, a jewel in a crown of, err”¦reeds (??) to be honest.
Yeast “” Chocolate. Yeast sound like they’ve nicked Mr. A Deep Elm Vocalist, but in fairness this is really cool; a weird, simply riffed beginning with quirky vocals giving way to more melodic parts. Fun
Joshua – lies about the sky. Pleasant , dreamy stuff from OK but very unoriginal emo/indie rock band. However, a very welcome quiet interlude”¦all sounding very honed and professional.
The Caskett Lottery “” Red house. The best song on the c.d. Builds up very nicely, well sung, ringing guitars, great harmonies and backing, and very, very catchy. I guess it’s what you’d expect from the biggest name on the comp.
Meredith Bragg “” Funeral at the movies. The singer form decent emo-popsters, Speedwell. Haunting acoustic piece that I can’t help but picture hearing on the soundtrack to Donnie Darko. I also can’t help but love this song, incredibly simple but it sends a shiver down my spine when I play it. Solo album in the works apparently. Potential relaxing album of 2003, methinks.
San Quentin “” I blew away / I ride that sexy horse. Horrible, horrible vocals at the start “” I thought this was a “members of’ band? Jets to Brazil perhaps, though I might be wrong. Well, I’m afraid I’m not impressed. Muddy sounding, and I guess it doesn’t help that I don’t like the song either.
Tomorrow “” Shake your halo down. No Idea band, with No Idea, Hot Water Music-styled singer. Sound song, soundly covered. No better, no worse.
Mico “” White Page. Ex-Porter Hall, sounding similar, but better to the first couple of bands on the cd. A couple of nice high-notes hit by the singer, but that’s all I can really say for the track to tell the truth.
Half Foot Outside “” Pebbles. Oooh, a pretty beginning by a band I’ve never heard of. Ah, perhaps that can be explained by the plainly farsical vocals when they come in “” almost sounds like he’s taking the piss. A shame, cos the guitars slide along really well, with nice transitions and rhythm changes. The singing does improve slightly, but perhaps they should see if Meredith Bragg (who I’m presuming is a bloke, despite being called Meredith) would help them out.
Firebird Band “” She wears he-hare. Oh-fucking-dear. My first and last experience of Chris Broach’s new band I hope. Does anyone, ANYONE in the world listen to this? How could enjoy listening to this!! Eighties”¦keyboards, vocals through a computer or something that reminds me of Babylon Zoo.
We Talked About Murder “” -9 fingers on you. The c.d. is getting in need of a good track. Following Firebird Band isn’t hard, but We Talked of Murder make a fairly good job of it. It starts like an ultra-trendy garage rock song, but goes kinda weird in the middle. Not at all like other stuff I’ve heard by the band. Not bad.
Elemae “” X-french t-shirt. To think I liked some of this bands songs from their full-length. Boring boring boring. Sensefield gone post-grunge vocals, singing a song seamlessly with no sign of a tune or melody. Just one dull, repeated hook.
Big Collapse “” No RM. 9, Kentucky. For some reason, I could never take a song with the line “happy birthday baby’ in seriously. This does develop, however, into a fun little pop song, one of the better form the latter half of the cd, which tells a tale.
Cheswick “” the saddest day of my life. Sensefield gone very pop, – rock music for the whole family. Definitely a summer song, one that your sister will like. Cool though.
Sloe “” I want someone badly. Slow burning ballady dross, form the film First Love, Last Rites, apparently -a film I’ve never seen.
Suffice to say, I’m sure this will make sense to you if you’re a Shudder To Think fan, but I can’t say I recommend it terribly highly. Probably very interesting, but to the neutral it doesn’t have nearly enough high’s to consider investing in.