La Snacks - Brown Orange Black Gray

"Brown, Orange, Black & Gray"

La Snacks

© 2005 Cashcow Records

(out of 5)

Warning: if you want a fair review of this CD, you're not going to get it. And here are 3 reasons why:

1. This is my favorite band from Southeast Texas.
2. I think almost everything they do is brilliant.
3. I bought a copy right before their show because I couldn't wait.

So, to borrow two words from a great rock song, all apologies if this review is too saccharine for your taste. La Snacks is an acquired taste itself, like most new indie rock bands.

La Snacks' full length debut, Brown, Orange, Black & Gray, is a fan-pleasing mélange of catchy riffs, hooks, and idiosyncratic but intelligent songwriting. For the unfamiliar listener, it's a welcome refreshment that borrows (and steals) from pop culture, personal tragicomedy, and the sociopolitically obscure. What more could you want from an indie rock/emo blues recording that isn't afraid to not take itself too seriously? From what I remember of their obligatory band bio La Snacks formed in Beaumont, TX in 2003 from the rubble of a band known as Purge (hmmm...) The line up at that time consisted of a slightly sarcastic looking & sounding intellectual crooner; a kick your you-know-what and take your name drummer; a punk goddess bass player (now in the cheerleading section); an unpredictable livewire metal guitarist (now living his metal dream); and in contrast, a solid rock perfectionist guitarist who just might amaze you. The no-nonsense bass player is a wonderful new addition to this eclectic yet cohesive band. You can hear the love when listening to the newer tracks that comprise Brown Orange Black Gray. Some of the songs from this lengthy sampler left me full of great expectations from future La Snacks LPs. (Hope that isn't a reviewer's jinx.) Some of the tracks are from the Foolish Boy EP, and all are great showcases for a young band full of promise. If the infecttious pop/punk of "Are We In Danger" elevated my expectations of a light-hearted rock record, then the blues rock of "Port Arthur" was the comedown. If you aren't from this depressed area like myself, you may not empathize, but it's a beautiful, too brief ballad to a town that could've been great. "Emo Kind of Love" is probably La Snacks' biggest crowd control hit. This rock steady recording will please any indie rock snob, but the live version is better. If you're an indie/alternative rock fan who also happens to love Jennifer Lopez, you may take some offense by this song. Now we get to one of my favorite songs - "Roman Yell". One day I hope to sit down with the band and ask them what this song is about. When I listen to it I don't imagine a love song about a sexy retro gal. I see this smoldering track as a metaphor for the decline of Western Civilization. To quote from the liner note lyrics: "The Roman Yell/She left me here/Without a sound/I guess I could not tell". I wish I could indulge and mention every glorious track on this stunning 42.5 minute LP, but I'll skip to a few more highlights: "You're Telling Me Something" is not a pretty rock song, and it's probably the best track on the entire CD because it's a no-thrills, no-frills, lackadaisical charmer. Perhaps the best lyrics in the entire album can be heard in "Barren Land". It first struck me as a "Port Arthur" reprise, but it's definitely not. It didn't leave me hanging in apathy for a ghost town, but with hope that change and growth, and "Peace love and understanding" is possible. The finale, "Charlie's Dead", gives a nod (and a wink) to rock & roll hijinks and insanity. It's a post-modern indie rock & blues ballad for the fans.
For anal retentive active listeners, Brown, Orange, Black & Gray may fall short of indie rock perfection. But for those with shorter attention spans, the hors d'oeuvre approach to their latest and greatest (so far) effort will be flawless. It may also challenge you to let go of preconceptions of what a good indie/alternative rock album should be. La Snacks' exceptional CD will remind you to listen to those other exceptional indie rock CDs collecting dust. So go ahead and listen to music you love, without all the hype and vainglory. I dare you.

La Snacks is:

Robert Segovia - Vocals & Attitude
Joe Deshotel - Guitar & Attitude
Trae Branham - Bass & Attitude
Jamey Matte - Drums & Attitude

web site: LaSnacks
second site: Myspace.com
fan site: Fans @ Yahoo/Launch

The CD is on sale now online @ Cashcow Records, or in stores - Waterloo Records & Cheapo Discs in Austin, TX.