Hmmm... I'm surprised this showed up in my mailbox. Theoretically I could really like this, but it's a big gamble since, like some similar solo projects (with help from a couple of additional musicians on occasion), this release has a pretty significant folk thread running through its emo/indie sensibilities. In fact, I'd probably argue that its softly sung vocals, fingerpicked acoustic guitar, and at times lightheartedly somber atmospheres (a massive contradiction, I know, but it would make sense if you heard this) are more folk than emo or indie inspired. And that's fine. It's not really my thing, but I don't hate it. It's competently recorded and delivered. I enjoy aspects of it. Sure, "Air Pollution" is a little too cheesy for me with its prominent vocal harmonies and strangely "cheery" vibe (see my "lightheartedly somber" comment above), but there are some nice compositions. Sadly my copy is defective and starts choking up during the fifth track, "Rhythm", and none of the other songs will play, so just over half the disc is literally unlistenable for me. The production is generally smooth and spacious as there's not much instrumentation in most tracks, so the vocals tend to lean to the front of the mix, but not so that it becomes too distracting. I do sort of thing it would work better with the singing being a little dryer and distant, but I don't mind it. It's not as rugged as some of these projects tend to go, but that's because the whole aesthetic of the release is more a "bedroom studio" thing than a "rustic country barn" thing, if you know what I mean. The CD-R has been spraypainted a grayish color and comes in a white didipack with color xeroxes adhered to the front and back covers with minimal artwork and text. It looks okay for a D.I.Y. affair, though the cover is definitely the stronger of the two pieces of art. Well, I imagine there are a couple of real keepers here, but I can't be sure since I haven't gotten a complete picture of the release. I'd wager that my above assessments hold true for the entire disc as far as overalls style and fell, and I'm certain that the latter half of the disc wouldn't blow me away. I'll leave this one open-ended though, as it wouldn't be fair to guess but so much.
[self-released]
Running time - 37:40, Tracks: 11
[Notable tracks: I can only listen to the first four-and-a-half songs]
Page France - http://www.pagefrance.net
