Review
Band supplies listeners with originality, locality
December 4, 2008
As the music industry plunges into digital consumerism and online piracy, it becomes more difficult each forthcoming week to review a new artist. Artists nowadays are so incredibly paranoid about their work being pirated that they have been known to release the album via an undercover name. For example, the Iowa nonet (9 person) psychedelic metal band Slipknot released their fourth studio album “All Hope Is Gone” under the band name, “Rusty Cage” to prevent early leaks onto the Internet.
With that said, I truly cannot find any big name releases worth reviewing. In lieu of the lackluster music selection, I’ve decided to review a group out of our very own back yard, Minneapolis, Minn. The band is Weaver at the Loom and the album is “I Was Searching and I Found.” If you’ve already formed a negative opinion before taking a listen, I understand. Whenever I hear the word local, I am immediately forced into a pity listen. Playing an endless lineup of the Twin Cities club circuit does not exactly scream “talent,” nor does it shout out “success.” But, for only being together about two years and only dropping a five song EP, this band will not remain a secret for long. They are a diamond in the rough.
The debut EP, “I Was Searching and I Found,” is almost a mini concept album, one in which the listener is thoroughly pleased with each ongoing second. It’s not the type of album that you listen to once and shove to the side in search of another artist. This album begs you to click repeat and let yourself go into the soothing euphoria that is Weaver at the Loom (WATL). Although each song is uniquely written, they flow seamlessly into a saga. Each track is overwhelming with emotion and engages the listener with mindless melodies and breathtaking choruses along with epic guitar work. The album brings an almost scholarly approach to its listeners.
WATL makes it widely known that a majority of the members are developed and skilled musical students. It’s pretty obvious, most EPs touch the surface of what a band has to offer and gets a listener ready for the real deal, but WATL is just too impressive with their debut. Each song has a ballpark average of about six minutes and, before you know it, you’re onto the next track wondering how many times you’ve listened to the album. My personal favorite track of the debut, “You Can’t Enjoy Life Before and After,” is almost a clash between a more composed Death Cab tune comfortably woven with your favorite Straylight Run track. The acoustic guitar and piano melodies flow interwoven calmly through your tympanic membrane producing sheer musical beauty. I’m sad I discovered such an incredible band so late, but am absolutely ecstatic for future releases. If there is any album you buy this year, disc and all, not that digital media crap, it’s “I Was Searching and I Found”. I recommend this to all listeners, enjoy as I have, please.
Erik Wood is a student at UW-River Falls.