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Don’t be fooled by the new-agey cover art; the latest release
from Son, Ambulance is one of the most premier indie
rock bands as of late. Once roommates and bandmates with the
raspy-voiced and overexposed Conor Oberst of Bright
Eyes, Joe Knapp has yet to escape the association.
Their split CD, Oh Holy Fools, contained eight sneakily
alternating songs from the two Nebraskans. Euphemystic
is the first release of Son, Ambulance, and shows a great
deal of promise. It’s so hard to review this record when all
I can hear in my head are comparisons to Bright Eyes, but
I’ll try anyway.
Generally containing intensely personal mid-tempo songs,
Euphemystic starts with the catchy "An Instant Death",
showcasing Joe Knapp’s straightforward, optimistic voice.
Beginning with an acoustic guitar, it launches into a poppy,
positive introduction to a wonderful record. I hear the similarities
to Belle and Sebastian, but I think B&S are boring
Scottish tripe. Joe Knapp’s stuff is so much more heartfelt
and sincere. Influences are various and sundry, and seem to
include the Rolling Stones in their late 1970s period
with a folky twang, Bruce Springsteen, Jets to Brazil’s
Orange Rhyming Dictionary, and a strong pull to Billy
Joel’s piano-based tunes. This is classic singer songwriter
material with a very up-front production style, and it’s destined
for greatness.
Each song is different with Knapp’s soft but clear vocal
lines maintaining continuity. His voice isn’t as strong as
Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, but it’s stronger
than Oberst’s. If you find Oberst to be a presumptuous indie
darling, Son, Ambulance will be a refreshing change. His songwriting
is brilliant but the emotions are somewhat immature, which
is perhaps its most endearing trait. Track five is "Maria
in Motion", a Bossa Nova inspired number. Maria is such a
popular Latina name, and makes me wish he had chosen Consuela,
Juanita, or Mercedes. Nonetheless, this is a catchy record
and improves with each listen.
"Violet", the last track, has Oberst singing guest vocals,
and the two voices juxtaposed is a nice mix, but his warbley
faux vibrato sounds weak next to Knapp’s clear voice. The
appeal Oberst retains on his own records is his troubled and
dramatic approach, where Knapp finds a prettier, kinder sensibility.
Upon first listen one might dismiss this album as bedroom
songwriter or rehashed Bright Eyes, but it’s so not. If you
are at all sick of Bright Eyes or even if you enjoy them,
you will be pleased with Euphemystic. Remember, however,
not to compare the two, like I did here.
— Vivian Sarratt
Track Listing:
- An Instant Death
- An Instant Birth
- Seven Days
- A Book Laid On Its Binding
- Maria In Motion
- The Anonymous
- Like A Friend
- I Promise You’ll Never Grow Old
- A New Dress For Maybell
- Violet
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