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Some of you may have read our interview
with the Czars and wondered to yo urself, "what do these guys
really sound like?" Well, that's what we're gonna do right
here and now. As alluded to in the interview, the Czars h
ave found a unique balance in their construction of songs.
Each member's influences come ringing out strong at different
moments on this record, yet as a nod to their group abilities,
nobody's style really overpowers t he record. This makes for
a beautiful listening experience.
The album opens with the striking "Val."
A very Goth bass line, courtesy of Chris Pearson, carries
the weight here and drags you in. John Grant' s haunting vocals
mingle with a stew of guitar noises and layers. Tarnat ion
vocalist Paula Frazer lends her voice to the song (as well
as a coupl e others.) When she mixes with Grant's plaintive
voice and the swirling guitars, you feel their emotion grab
you and the intensity builds. "Any Younger" brings up the
energy an iota while still retaining those ringing guitar
sounds. When they tighten up later on, they hit with the precisi
on of Yo La Tengo. Grant has a classic voice that makes you
think "have I heard this guy somewhere else before?" Songs
like "Get Used To It" and "What I Can Do For You" prove that
the band has a handle on strong songw riting. Their rock-solid
arrangements take from the old Paul Simon schoo l of writing,
and that mode of thought actually works with their numerous
other influences. "Zippermouth" is the crowning jewel in the
Czars crow n. Grant sings with more authority and rock presence
that at any other m oment. His voice holds up to the challenge
without making you bat an eye 2E Think Bono meets Thom Yorke
without the pretension. Andy Monley and Roger Green's guitar
work goes from Edge styled rock to ethereal drowsin ess on
the turn of a card. "Pressure" floats on a bubbly analogue
keybo ard vamp augmented by crystalline guitar potions and
another thoughtful v ocal. I dig how they integrated Frazer's
vocals there at the end. The e thereal groove of "Dave's Dream"
sulks by with Jeff Linsenmaier's restrai ned drum pattern
and a bountiful selection of guitar. When the whole thi ng
hits full stride at the chorus, you become overwhelmed by
Grant's temp ered voice and sucked into its swirling vortex.
It's a work of pure beau ty. Just to top it all off, Grant
and Frazer run through a straightforwa rd duet of Patsy Cline's
"Leavin' On Your Mind." I've always wanted to h er sing some
Cline, and her and Grant create a very respectful and beauti
ful reading of the classic.
Again, the beauty of this record is the
ability to blend a heady amount o f related influences into
a solid body of work. The album is thoroughly engaging, especially
after a few listens, and it's wide ranging appeal. It's been
a while since I've heard a record quite like this one-I want
to write about every tune here. I challenge you to find a
mis-step here, t hat's saying something for a debut. Any fan
of that highly textured guit ar music (like Kitchens of Distinction,
Slowdive, etc.) would be pleased with this one. You fans of
the "singer-songwriter" thing will also be mo ved by the intimate
capabilities of the members and the solid, traditiona l pop
songwriting. You couldn't hope for a stronger record all the
way a round, and the Czars prove themselves more than worthy.
-tom topkoff
Track Listing:
1. Val
2. Concentrate
3. Get Used To It
4. Any Younger
5. Gangrene
6. Stay
7. Dave's Dream
8. What I Can Do For You
9. Zippermouth
10. Pressure
11. Leavin' On Your Mind
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