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Review:
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You know, it's almost unfair to review this EP. First, it was
recorded in three days shortly after The Young Antiques formed-long
before their more recent album, Wardrobe For A Jet Weekend.
Their current drummer, Mason Brazelle, wasn't even in the band
yet. So, it's more like a bootleg recording than an actual release.
Second, it's almost impossible to find this EP. I stumbled on
it at Wax n' Fax in Atlanta (the band's hometown) in the local
music section, labelled "consignment." I didn't even know music
could be on consignment! And, don't look for the EP on the
band's web site; even it will tell you the EP's out of print.
But, in keeping with the EvilSponge tradition of dredging up
the most obscure indie releases possible and torturing readers
with reviews, I must forge ahead. Otherwise Brendan will punish
me (shudder).
Well, this one won't hurt too bad because there's not much to
say. Unless you are a truly die-hard 'Tiques fan, there's really
no reason to search out this EP. From the first overblown, post
80s guitar riff, it's obvious that the band was still in the experimental
stages of putting together songs. The vocal sounds of Blake Rainey
are as mature as that on Wardrobe For A Jet Weekend,
but the lyrics are facile and shoddy. The songs have some of the
interesting stylistic mix of the 'Tiques' later work, but they
mostly show a band struggling to find a sound beyond some combination
of Cheap Trick and The Ramones. The song's melodies hint at their
later work, especially Fail Light, a quieter track that
highlight's Rainey's strong voice, but even it smacks of bland
rock balladeering. Finally, the sound quality is very sloppy-the
first song starts so quickly that it seems to have a few notes
cut off.
This is an EP by a then-young band trying to develop its own
sound, and as a near-bootleg recording, it's impressive enough
to rank 3 sponges. Really, though, if you're enjoying Wardrobe
For A Jet Weekend, just stick with that album and wait
for the next release. Like simmering soup, I suspect their interesting
mixture of musical genres will continue to blend and mature.
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