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Milo: Even If You Knew The Language (EP)
The depth
and diversity of musical talent that continually emerges from North Carolinas
triangle never ceases to amaze me. The
area, rich with college students and intellectuals, has bred such talented acts
as Superchunk, The Connells, Ben Folds Five, The Squirrel Nut Zippers, and many
others, each band baring its own unique sound.
The young band Milo is the latest addition to the triangles roster of
musical talents. The group was
already making a name for itself locally by winning the UNC-Chapel Hill Battle
of the Bands in spring 2000, in which the prize was recording time in a nearby
Durham studio. The result was Even
If You Knew The Language, an impressive debut EP that is strong throughout. The EP
starts off with Nothing Given, which clocks in at 6:32, and builds to a
stirring climax of interwoven, enchanting drum and guitar sounds.
From the first track onward, you can hear the indie-sound
influence, in the form of Pavement-ish guitars and somewhat muddled vocals.
But what saves Milo from the stereotype is that they dont allow this
one sound to characterize the entire EP. Most
of the tracks leave room for all-out jamming of the distorted electric guitar
variety, which allows the band to show off different sides of its talent. The title track, a slow, introspective tune, caught my ear
the most. It is here where you can
best distinguish the influence of early 90s alternative/grunge music, which
(I admit) is probably why it appealed to me.
After all, anyone in their early 20s grew up on the likes of Pearl Jam
and Soundgarden, so why deny the influence?
There are surely much worse influences. Throughout
the EP, Milo manages to hold on to the listeners attention despite lacking
defined verse/chorus song structures. I
have a suspicion that I was not fully able to gauge the bands talents by
listening to this disc; the qualities of their music foretell that Milo is the
type of band whose shining moments are on stage more so than in the studio, as
is further indicated by their Battle of the Bands victory. Nevertheless, Even If You Knew The Language is a solid
first effort that will hopefully expand the bands listening base beyond the
triangle.
You can purchase music by Milo from Insound About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
