The Before Picture
"A Sense of Urgency" CDEP
Post436
Records
Genres: indie rock, post-punk, math rock
Post436 Records
12511 Ringwood Avenue
Orlando FL 32877
Dec 22 - 28 2003 |
Energetic,
angular, and fiercely melodic, The Before Picture is two
degrees from math rock, treading dangerously near to flat-out
post-punk. "Secret Code" is obviously very Jawbox-esque
in its slicing, complex guitar-and-vocal assault, so it's clear where
the band's influences lie. They could easily fit in alongside
modern indie/math rock bands like Fiesel and Tristan Da Cunha
at a show. Sometimes the TBP's sound can become tiresome,
particularly when their melodies aren't given enough hooks to stick
("Controlled Burn"), but they fortunately don't make than
mistake too often on A Sense of Urgency. "The Process of Falling
Down" is the disc's most interesting moment. Stop/start
rhythms and a spastic song structure characterize the tune, which
would be terrific if it were just slightly more melodic.
"Before the Rains Came," meanwhile, could be the EP's best
song; it's both structurally intense and melodically rich.
This EP offers a fine taste of what The Before Picture have
to offer, and though it is only five songs long, it lasts quite
awhile. Although not perfect all the way through, A Sense of
Urgency urges the listener into serious anticipation of the
band's debut album.
83%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 5 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |
