By David Thomas
April 20, 2004
Pick of the Week
ALKALINE TRIO/ONE MAN ARMY, BYO Split Series/Volume V (BYO Records)
Split records are one of those punk traditions that have survived with much
of their original allure intact. One of my favorite recent split releases
was an EP with ALKALINE TRIO and HOT WATER MUSIC released on Vagrant
Records. Both bands took one another's songs and reworked them flawlessly in
their own unique style. HOT WATER MUSIC especially raised their game on the
disc.
The BYO Records split series has also showcased bands covering each other's
music but on Volume V the two featured artists contribute all new
songs, with the exception of the ALK TRIO covering "Wait For The Blackout."
For those not totally in love with the ALKALINE TRIO this short 6 song
offering with the harder edged ONE MAN ARMY serves as a sampling of their
songwriting ability and by the last track listeners will probably have their
fill of the TRIO's emo-punk with trademark nasal vocals. Or maybe that's
just me. In small doses the band is great but a full record can be overkill.
I will admit the songs here like "Dead and Broken" are some of the TRIO's
best. And ONE MAN ARMY, who I'm not familiar with, is a terrific punk band.
They layer raspy vocals over traditional punk riffs. And their songwriting
isn't half bad either. For 12 solid songs this split is a refreshing break
in a listening rotation.
Derivative Pick of the Week
SPLIT HABIT, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is (Double Zero
Records)
This pop-punk band comes from the label founded by members of the SMOKING
POPES and the band clearly showcases their loyalty to that 1990s
groundbreaking group. From the first track "Habit" with its group sung
"Woo-oohs" SPLIT HABIT declares its intentions. They're a talented group,
play their instruments adequately but have zero personality or originality.
Luckily for the band the sound is polished enough they could serve as the
soundtrack for the next teen comedy that hit's theaters this summer. In fact
seeing SPLIT HABIT playing a prom in one of those cheesy movies about today's
youth living next door to porno stars etc.
For some reason though people love those movies and I think lots of
youngsters would love this album too. But for most of us long removed from
any high school situation there is little use for Put Your Money Where
Your Mouth Is.
Indie Pick of the Week
RATATAT, Ratatat (XL Recordings/Beggars Group)
Even though RATATAT features a member of DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL you'll find
no lovelorn lyrics here. In fact you won't find vocals of any kind on this
engaging new disc filled with melody, looped beats and that unidentifiable
aesthetic that makes this cool to all those fans of the POSTAL SERVICE et
al.
But unlike instrumental bands that make a statement with that void at singer
RATATAT almost demands someone to step up to the plate. The songs like "El
Pico" are basically solid, riff driven tunes that will fool listeners into
thinking someone will start singing at any moment. But they don't. And that'
s too bad.
It's fine to make a splendid sonic palate as the boys in RATATAT have done
here but if you're flying without that dashing frontman you better bring
some more punch to these songs. That said the overall feeling and atmosphere
of the disc will fit in nicely as pre set music while you're waiting for
your favorite band of the moment to take the stage.
Corrections:
So last week I had a typo. A TYPO! I said WILCO when I meant WEEZER. And
even though WEEZER was brought up 2 more times correctly in the review of
the SPECIAL GOODNESS more people had to email me and correct the mistake
then entered my contest! Sheesh. And do I care that Pat Wilson is still
wasting his talent in WEEZER rather than working on THE SPECIAL GOODNESS
full time? Not really. That's just sad. I guess I just figured Pat left when
everyone either went nuts or AWOL from the runaway train wreck that is
called WILCO, I mean WEEZER.
And the winner is:
I did finally receive all the contest entries (after going through mail
deleted as spam) and the winner of the contest is:
Zach Patterson! Zach has won a copy of the new PILOT TO GUNNER CD Get
Saved. Mainly because he most eloquently stated the dullness he sees in the
current rock landscape while pointing out some bright spots. Good job Zach.
The Loser...I mean 2nd place goes to David Ehrlich for his very well written
rant. I will be contacting both winners soon. Thanks for all of you that wrote
in and participated.
ENTER THE CONTEST HERE!
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