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BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
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Scale Model:
Self-Titled EP
Although a burgeoning music scene still may maintain somewhat of a regional identity at its earliest inception, the proliferation of Internet trading and selling of music has fused the space and time continuum to the point that almost any genre from any period can be accessed with the simple click of a mouse. This invaluable resource places infinite musical influences at the whims of the privileged masses. Therein lies a Rubiks Cube of artists and musicians that might influence a band, from the obscure and overseas, to the local and more accessible. Thus each band carves out a unique niche for itself among the morass of others attempting similar, but variable, feats towards musical enlightenment. In accordance with this paradigm shift exists this three-song EP from the Chicago based band, Scale Model. Take a 90s postcard of the United States, creasing it roughly at its center. Now, fold the two halves so that Sub Pops Seattle headquarters and the Boston alternative/indie scene are touching or even kissing, depending on how romantically inspired you may feel in the moment. For the more ambitious audiophile, shake the Eastern half of the card so that Mona Elliott falls out of Victory at Sea and into Sunny Day Real Estate (Jeremy Enigk can even get a head start on his divine callingmight I remind you that we are still in the 90s?). Clean the band up a bit, and enroll Elliott into the Dolores O'Riordan vocal finishing school. Presto! You have your Scale Model action figures poised and ready for tour. Megan Roxs vocals fluctuate between resolute/sustained and a muddier, more ethereal, texture. The powerful resonance of her voice seems, at times, a stationary buoy floating atop a guitar-laden mire. This mire, however, is controlled and developed throughout the songs with dynamic shifts and builds, fluctuating between minimalist arpeggios and metronomic distortion. The pace and tempo is varied throughout, contributing to a very atmospheric song construction that swells and recedes. My main criticism comes from the fact that sometimes too many changes throughout a song become as tiresome as a song with very few. In my opinion, these dynamic shifts seem somewhat aimless and always within the realm of comfortable expectation. I would, therefore, be wary of their upcoming release if it were to contain more of the same vanilla ephemera.
This album can be purchased at the Scale Model Official Website About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
