|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
The Changes:
First of May
(EP)
Im not quite sure where to start or exactly how to pin down this band. Theyre interesting. Here comes, through my headphones, a group of four Chicagoans sliding their way through experimental Police-inspired progg-ness, jazz, and artsy indie rock. Once you get past the Sting-tinged vocals and rhythms, this becomes a very unique album. The Police comparison is a little unfair, as their influence is not all you hear here; and only on a couple of tracks is it right out front. However, where there is a bounce and soaring vocal attitude, there also exists a little bit of an early-70s Santana-edged freakout Check out Her, You and I, in which jazz tones lead us into a nice bed of smooth, falsely seductive ease. All the while, drums build up in the speakers and a guitar breaks and wails for a second, then back to a little interlude part. Right before the track hits its fourth minute, the tension builds again slightly, and all the instruments break off into their own tangent lines and explorations only to come back around at five and a half minutes to lead us out with the chorus. This six-minute song strikes a boring chord nowhere. Throughout the rest of the EP, there is a bit of a dance-punky beat with some sentimental 80s feelings with subtle vocals (not too big and hooky). Thats Not True has a great Sting-esque vocal line and is fairly catchy. 1984 reminds me of Tool on a very happy, sunshiny day. Its upbeat with great builds, breaks and sections complete with an outro that has haunting vocals. The last track, Such a Scene, is a perfect EP ender: catchy enough to hide right in the back of your head and stay with you the rest of the night, just behind all your other thoughts. I give it agood groove.
About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
