BANDS:

Punk & Ska
80's New Wave/
Post-Punk/
College Bands
90's & Beyond
Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

Coltrane Motion: No Well Ok Maybe Just a Little EP
[Data Was Lost]

Almost very close but not quite there yet is my overall response to Coltrane Motions most recent release, No Well Okay Maybe Just a Little.  This four-song EP starts off with PI is Exactly Three, a very synthesizer-heavy rock ballad thats missing just a little something.  The song starts off well enough, a little Flaming Lips meets 80s pop; but then the melody line begins, and instead of building, the song sort of collapses from there on out.  The rhythm drags only slightly, but enough so that the momentum of the song is lost, and the quirky and interesting synth sounds the piece entered with are drowned out.  The second track, The End of Every Movie, improves on this with a much more upbeat tempo and modified vocals that soften the melodic line so that it complements the synthesizer and samples rather than distracting from them.  Michael Bonds voice lends itself quite nicely to modification, and the result is a smooth but energetic little song much more deserving of the bands self-proclaimed heartbreak you can dance to label.

Coltrane Motion is comprised of three members: lead singer Michael Bond, Matt Dennewitz (synth), and Pete Ziegler (beats, laptop), all currently out of Chicago.  They have spent the past year touring tirelessly to promote this EP and are currently recording a split 7.

The EPs closing tracks, Supersexy and I Guess the Kids Are Ok, waiver back and forth between the quality of the first and second tracks. Supersexy has a catchy little guitar riff melded with Bonds once again modified vocals, and the harmonica thrown in towards the end adds a nice touch; but the song overall doesnt stand out.  I Guess the Kids Are Ok is more effective, as it gets the feet tapping heartily again.  Stronger guitars provide a canvas for Michaels unaltered and naturally heavier voice to paint a darker tone than in any of the three previous songs.  The track has a great beat, a great melody, and really moves.  It has a definite Radiohead flavor without sounding like a copycat.  A great ending to the EP.

Coltrane Motion Official Website

Check Amazon, Insound and CD Universe to purchase this album.

More Album Reviews

About LOTD        Contact/Staff        Advertise        Home

All content  LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved.