Saturday, May 7, 2005

Sworn To Fun... EP


© 2005 Cashcow Records



Usually it's easy for me to form and then write an opinion about new diy/indie rock. But my confidence was slightly shaken. Why? Because this latest rock CD presented for review, Sworn to Fun Loyal to None, is an instrumental. That's right - no vocals. A challenge to even real music critics. And the last review of an instrumental perfomance I'd written was a paper describing a live jazz concert for a music appreciation class - a decade ago. Most of the indie rock instrumental tracks I've listened to are mixed in with vocal tracks. No such "luck" with this recording. Last night I asked a friend and experienced writer how to freshly approach reviewing an EP from an instrumental indie rock band. He didn't have an answer. (Perhaps because he's struggling with more serious writing issues, like completing a chapter of a thesis.) Anyway... I decided to sleep on it and write a blog review off the top of my head.
By morning, then afternoon, I still couldn't figure it out. I have listened to this 5-track instrumental over and over, enjoying it each time, but can't find the right words to describe or recommend it. It's now a quiet evening of procrastination, and I finally get it. This CD has no words. With the exception of loquacious track titles that suggest vivid scenes and themes, there is no reason for words. As a result, there is no valid reason to write a wordy comparative or historical analysis and call it a review. But I wouldn't dare avoid the challenge of writing a review of any new indie CD - instrumental or a' cappella. So here it goes... From the good vs. bad, "when the angels present themselves, the devils abscond" (a wonderful end to a questionable beginning), and from bad vs. worse in the stumbling opener - "because we focused on the snake, we missed the scorpion", there is no need for a detailed description of the Sworn to Fun Loyal to None EP. Music is about subjective reactions and feelings, no matter how cleverly objective the review is. From the beginning, "because we focused on the snake..." established a theme, flow, or story (you decide) that recurred throughout the brief album. It gently teased and rocked me with a soft rhythmic guitars, simple bass lines, and heavy counterpoint percussion. I carefully absorbed the simple beauty of the melody. Then somewhere in the middle, it stung me with the electricity of amps. I could compare it to a couple of mind-blowing experimental/free jazz instrumentals, or those hidden tracks that shock you from a satyr's sleep after enjoying a good rock CD. But I won't. Instead I'll recommend the following stand-alone picks: "put a stout heart to a steep hill" - the definition of an indie rocker, and a darling sleeper - "truth and morning become light with time". Next, I'm giving the entire EP a rating (4 out of 5 Texas CDs), and hoping you'll find your own words or story to describe Sworn to Fun's soundtrack to nothing in particular. I've written enough.
~ DIY-Danna

Sworn to Fun Loyal to None is:
Thomas Peirrel - Guitar
Reid Vidrine - Guitar & Bass
Dusty ______ - Drums

Visit the band online @ MySpace.