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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Local CD Round-Up
Wednesday 20 August @ 11:56:21 |
 by Celeste Tabora
- Ellis
- Triangle Park
- Telephone!
- Chromatic Black
- Gawker Showdown
- Bozart
- Revolver
Ellis
Tigers Above Tigers Below
(Rubberneck)
Ellis’ voice is powerful, beautiful, intimidating and charming. Mixed in with the song’s acoustic guitar driven music sung with the passion that Ani DiFranco and Suzanne Vega once exuded, Ellis coud easily kick Michelle Branch and Avril Lavigne’s MTV-bred asses. Ellis serves as a powerful reminder that there are still female artists out there who can end up being noticed for their musicianship rather than their cleavage.
Triangle Park
From The Inside
(Self release)
Half of the Triangle Park members (and moms) Annie and Kate have worked together for more than 12 years and counting. Formed in 2002, this lineup projects beautiful and lush harmonies—perfect for a festival somewhere in between Lilith Fair and the latest IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) party. “Pretty Thing” appears near the album’s end, and it is the most inviting of all their mature folk-rock tunes. This disc definitely takes an acquired taste (for that of the sensitive girl rock variety) but it is unpretentious and is pretty good for what it is.
Telephone!
Off The Hat! EP
(burned CD)
Wow, for a crazy hand-written CD-R with no track listings and no biography to go by, this is probably the best thing I’ve put in the CD player for review this time around. Their first track (whatever it’s called) seems like an answer to New Edition’s “Mr. Telephone Man” for the millennium using terms like “56k” performed in the style of JJ Fad or early Salt N’ Pepa. I love this kitsch in-the-moment stuff! I’m trusting that they’re local because they did come in my local CDs-to-review packet, but seriously, who is this band?!!
Chromatic Black
Major Label Debut
(Self release)
Chromatic Black’s musical battle plan fuses hardcore/metal music elements with droning indie-rock in a slightly schizophrenic manner. One thing is clear—these boys are definitely catering to a sausage party—the music seems overwhelmingly testosterone-driven. This band is the aural equivalent of a Jagermeister shot contest—at first it tastes a little funny, but you can rest assured that it will fuck you up in the end. Hey, maybe the band can get a sponsorship?
Gawker Slowdown
Will Work For Love
(Self release)
Gawker Slowdown’s acoustic country-tinted indie-rock immediately calls to mind longtime critical favorites the Pernice Brothers in its earnest lyricism, sweet vocals and love-themed song plots. Even those who typically steer clear of these kind of tunes in favor of rougher-edged material would do well to check out Gawker Slowdown, as Will Work For Love is an undeniably enjoyable listren regardless of any incoming anti-alt. country biases. Eric Kalenze, formerly of Twin Cities’ power-pop outfit Third Wheel proves he’s got impressive singer-songwriter chops.
Bozart
The Steel Bridge
(Self release)
Conceived in 1997 out of Portland’s math-rock band Holgator, Bozart didn’t fall far from the rock tree. They are an instrumental rock duo (drums and guitar) who love incorporating odd time signatures and faster-than-a-speeding-bullet rhythm changes. This is their third release, and though it may be a little difficult to follow, it’s an enjoyable listen for those up to the challenge. All nine instrumental tracks allow space for thought and breathing room; the repetitive guitar parts are beautifully hypnotic without becoming haunting. Bozart’s music recalls some similarities to San Diego’s jittery rhythm duo Pinback with less overt pop tendencies (we’re talking instrumental music here people). Bozart manages to avoid becoming masturbatory in its performance, a balance not even Mike Patton can always accomplish.
Revolver
S/T EP
(Self release)
This Minneapolis band channels the ghosts of pop music’s shadowy ’80s past. Prime mopesters like Ian Curtis and Peter Murphy can be heard within Revolver’s music. This band would do well opening up for Interpol, who also have been heavily compared to Joy Division. Lead singer Alam is rumored to take the Joy Division emulation game one step further, flopping in a Curtis-esque style onstage. But who really cares about drawing the line between flattery and theft? Especially when the results are this damn good.
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