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Sofamecca|Omar Sharif | Commuters Episode
Press Review | Sofamecca
Somewhere Down Under, one enigmatic band has a great thing going...
After the release of their self-titled debut in 2002, Australian DIY band Sofa Mecca made a name for themselves via their innovative, non-conformist style. Now, with their sophomore release Commuters, the band expands on that innovative style — this tme, a little calmer, slightly more refined. In addition to writing all their own material, the band also handles the producing, recording, and artwork tasks as well. And yet every aspect of their albums are taut, cohesive, and completely professional. Commuters is, in one word, “chill.” Jazz lounge drums, acoustic guitar, and smooth electronic atmosphere mingle with Jason Gann’s wistful and oft-sultry vocals to transport the listener into a space age-like trance; imagine a campfire in a lunar landscape. Commuters offers distinct acoustic quality throughout. But the steady stream of electra/synth tones eerily floating beneath the acoustic layers makes everything buoyant, subsequently acting as an emotional backbone. At times, Commuters is very subdued, background and ambient. Yet, building up, it gently explodes, creating a very soft, hyper-passionate sound. Sofa Mecca is able to seamlessly journey from totally groovy to absolutely heart-wrenching, pulling off each aspect with equal finesse. The vocals, though brilliant and necessary, are not the focus of Sofa Mecca’s music. Instrumental layers define the mood. This quality allows them to wander and improvise, creating a new and fresh experience. It’s like floating through space while thinking about lost love; there’s a tone of undeniable nostalgia and longing that is both poetic and mature, and it is the emotion of the arrangements that gives this feeling rather than the music’s literal word use. I highly recommend checking into this band’s Web site. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to learn a little more about Sofa Mecca. The site features lyrics, images, reviews, but most importantly, it offers free sample downloads! Filled with audio vignettes supplying blatant melancholy (“There and Then,” “Spider String”), satirical muse (“Omar Sharif”), a flirty romantic vibe (“Saturdays”), and clever social observation (“Ice Cream and Bacon”), Sofa Mecca’s eleven-song compilation, Commuters, is a must-have for anyone seeking a taut, atmospheric, unique, and cutting-edge Modern Rock experience.
IndieReview Magazine USA
Sofamecca – 'Commuters' out now.
Visit www.sofamecca.net for more info.
[ Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:36:00 +1000 ]
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