| From Alternative 101 Debaser are a band who first formed in the Summer of 1999. How romantic, eh? Since then, however, their line up has changed a little, and so too, has their sound. This mini album 'sketches in sound' sees them making a return to the lo-fi sounds Aberdeen people will be able to relate to through the Beaker People, with a hint of eclecticism in the form of post grunge, trashy power pop and acoustic anti-folk. Disappointment starts off with a quiet round the campfire acoustic melody and slow, sultry vocals. A lo-fi nod to the alternative country sound hitting a high note on these shores in the form of the Handsome Family. After the intro things move up a notch and the sound steps into Pavement, Malkmus, Smog, possibly Sparklehorse territory. I like this song. But I don't like the stop start towards the end. It's almost pointless and the vocalist went slightly off key almost as though it caught him as unawares as it did me. And the song ends fifteen seconds later too. Track two, Suzanne starts off pacier than the first and immediately grabs my attention, a different vocalist here? This has a nice melody to it. It's a happy song. And you feel it when you listen. The musical references are much the same as that of track one, and I would guess this is as good as any a blast of the anti-folk they were talking about. Now love song irked me a little. The guitar melody sounded very much like it was lifted off Nirvana's smells like teen spirit. This continues throughout the song too. But then, if you cast that thought aside this is a definite contender for the best song on the disc. The vocals are all Stephen Malkmus, the sound is upbeat, and you can play this loud and it sounds even better. Especially so when the chilli peppers Flea style bass work comes in. It's only there for a short time, but guys, if you play this one live let the bassist do his stuff and you'll have the crowd eating out of your hands. Stuart next. I know a person called Stuart. He's very small. Like this song. Good guitar work. Very good alt country electrics, reminiscent of Neil Young when he was with Crazy Horse. A love like mine goes back to the slow and sultry sound. To be honest it's very similar right the way through, and if I had to pick a song off the cd I wasn't that keen on, sorry, but it would have to be this one. It's a tad over long and in places the vocalist can't quite reach the ranges required. Now is a good point to go make a pot noodle. So I do. I then return for Cardiac Arrest. Wow. I thought I was going to have one. There's a definite Lowgold influence there. Lowgold, now there's a good band. Soulful, whimpering, happy, sad, lo-fi, hi-fi, good all round indie. They have an album out, does anyone own it? Good grief I've name checked them twice in this mag so far, so somebody out there has to have it other than me, or this'll all mean nothing to you. Nothing. Cardiac Arrest is another short and sweet number. Great poppy and up-beat sound in a lo-fi sense (if you can get such a thing?!?). Good chorus. Vocals are tight here. A bit shouty in places but then I guess that has more to do with the recording than the actual singing itself. Overall, having listened to this album around twenty five times I have come to the gleeful conclusion that I like pot noodles. Oh, yeah, ha! And Debaser. Although a little ropey in places they have a sound that if worked on could stand them in good stead for years to come. The music is different all the way through and therefore remains interesting and captivating enough to keep you wanting to hear more. Each song has little touches throughout, and each time you listen, you hear something you missed last time round. This shows that Debaser are a band who have done their homework. They like music. That is reflected in their sound. If they play your home town or you see their cd I would give them a shot, because the good thing about Debaser is that even if you don't like everything you hear, you will always come away with at least one song buzzing around inside your head. |
| Sketches in Sound |