the carlsonics - s/t
as you know i like arena rock recordings. i have come to realise that the labels releases require time and dedication. i have learnt to be patient and await the imminent revelation of aural splendour. first there was over the top sonic madness of the mink lungs, next the intense japanese mono,
and now the carlsonics ?
well, yes and no. this is guitar college rock music from the underground basements of harrisonburg. the production is primitive, in fact its so primitive it almost sounds like most of the album was recorded straight to tape. i hope that this was something that the band wanted .. cos thats what they got. unfortunately this means that there is little variation on the sounds and subsequently over the course the album a desire for a new guitar sound/effect begins to nag away. another factor is the lead singers voice. it's very passionate and real, but doesn't connect with me.
shame cos i'm sure that live they must be damn fine.
but, all that aside there are a few tracks which really work, 'senator trudge' being my favourite, where the band decide to become a newly revised 60's beatpop combo with serious flashbacks to the best stuff the monkees commited to vinyl, complete with the multilevel vocal harmonies that really hits the spot with its insistent chorus and melody, a few more of these rather than the randomness that dominates the majority of the song structures and the lp would have far more appeal.
so, not a showstopper like calla/superdrag et al, but a fine garage rock album. in 2 months time when i dig this out and give it a few more spins i may feel differently (as per mink lungs), and if that happens i will update this page accordingly.