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Eleven Minutes Away
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Arson Followed Me Home
Deep Elm Records
Release: 4/26/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Morley Seaver
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This four-piece band calls Burlington, Ontario home. If they
perform live anything like the way they deliver on this disc, the
colleges are rocking in southern Ontario. They have that back
and forth screamo/singing vocal front that sort of sounds like a
thousand other bands (hitting the pinnacle with Thrice). But the
songs are so well done that within the context of each song, the
similarities drift away. I'm not saying this is uniquely original,
but they are just good at what they do.
The record starts off via "Atrophy Acetylene" with a throat-
tearing howl only to switch to the melodic vocals in a blink -
amid some thrashing guitars that are set for stun. "I'm A
Doctor, Not a Doorstop" should be the single with the great
vocals (both types) and its catchy chorus.
However, "P.S. I Hate You" follows and is a distant cousin to
the previous track. "Danger Inc." has a nastier guitar intro but
then off we go to the melodic verses, and it's almost like the
previous two tracks. Spot a trend?
Fortunately for the next batch of songs we're treated to cuts
that veer off that well tread path - "Purpose is Distraction"
begins like a 2005 version of a British 60s song... just that kind
of vibe - nice harmonies on this one. "Shall I Happily" has a
nice melancholy beginning before sliding into a rocket ride that
stands out from the earlier pack.
"I Am Home" is a short guitar-drone piece that fits perfectly
between the rave-ups. We're back to the same kind of sound
as the first half for the next couple of cuts. "I Am Tragedy" and
the closer "Drilling Holes in his Head is Not The Answer" provide
a clue as to where the band's strength lies - emo/screamo stuff
that doesn't sound like the rest.
This band has a tremendous amount of upside. There really
isn't a bad song on here but some of them are victimized by
the musical incest. When they can lose the material that can
all be grouped together and not picked out by anybody, they'll
make a truly great record. Right now, they might be a great
live act, but this record (aside from four or five cuts) is not
something that anybody will want to play more than once. |
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