BANDS:

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

The Sour Mournings: Whirlpool
[Audiophilic]

Dave Reed of The Sour Mournings has produced a sweet upbeat indie release with Whirlpool.  As a first album, its worth a quick listen for those of you in the mood for a pick-me-up.  The tracks hold a definite 60s rock influence, reminiscent of the Beatles; and the cheery rhythms are sure to have you tapping a toe or two.

Upbeat drums and acoustic guitar are dominant throughout the album, but Reeds experiments with mixing in sounds are what really stand out.  A womans moans in Say Sabrina give the otherwise lollypop style music a somewhat scandalous feel.  The lyrics give the impression of a deeply personal experience for Reed.  Although somewhat dreamy and a little childish, they pull through to round out the track. 

One critique that I have for this album is that the first half seems to have a distinctly formulaic feel to each song.  Patterns, rhythms, and chord sequences repeat themselves to the point that you are unsure if youre listening to a reprieve of an earlier track.  The sameness becomes somewhat tedious, and makes it difficult to feel any attachment to the music. 

Its not until the latter part of the album that Reed begins to stray from this fixed pop style.  Anhedonia is an interesting track with a slightly different appeal.  Warped melodies and breathy vocals open the song and set a melodic and psychedelic tone.  Droning guitars and violins are layered in to hold the mood for the entire piece.  As the tracks become darker, a juxtaposition is created between Reeds cheery pop voice and his philosophic and bleaker messages.  But as a result, these more brooding songs, like Philosophy do not entirely deliver.  Theres a need for raw release of anguish, but Reeds vocals just dont perform. 

With some interesting composition and unusual combinations, Whirlpool is a decent first time release.  Though this is an album that definitely will not appeal to everyone, it does have a likeable quality that will make it attractive, offering the promise of good things to come from The Sour Mournings in the future. 

The Sour Mournings Official Website

More Album Reviews

About LOTD        Contact/Staff        Advertise        Home

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