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BANDS: Punk
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LOTD
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The
Upwelling: Self-Titled EP
Dark and driven, The Upwelling show a general understanding of songwriting and performance so lacking in many entries to the music catalog of the universe. Not only an understanding, but an excess of experimentation, influence, and forward motion which only makes the listener sad for an EP instead of an LP. But shining approval aside, what makes a good disc? For starters, an achievable and actually achieved goal in sound. Reminiscent of the mood of a Pink Floyd or Depeche Mode lamentation, The Upweling makes spacey and full waves of sound with subtle use of guitar, subtle use of keyboard and organ, and the full cadence of bemoaning lyrical lines. Unafraid of mixing and matching a bit of Indie Rock with a bit of Brit Pop with a bit of 80s Synth-Pop, tracks like Murdered By a Big Bomb ring out with a certain unabashed poppiness that could easily land these boys on any Clear Channel station across this country. Add in some layered vocal harmonies and even more layered vocal variant lines, some mood-appropriate near-scream singing, and all of the sudden were looking at a hit. The impressive issue is one of simplicity. The album carries the same mood across, from start to finish, giving a sense of making an album instead of finding a good sequence for broken issues and tracks. Theres a true emotional journey on this album, one at once as foreign and misunderstood as any artist might wish, and yet just as obtainable and understood in its evocative moods and themes. The Upwelling offer something quite impressive, something moving, something beautiful in the way art is supposed to be beautiful, capturing the fine line between clich and completely alienating. The waves of building sound backing the smoothly sad lines Can everybody breathe?/Is everyone okay? repeating over and over again on Ladder 104 capture the true sense of bittersweet intention. Intelligent songwriting with an edge of accessibility. Theres a whole lot to like on this disc.
This album can be purchased at CD Baby The Upwelling Official Website About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
