Churchill's Tractor
"Sonic Colonic" CDR
Self-released
Genres: lo-fi, hometaper, diy pop
email the
artist
May 17 - 23 2004 |
Sonic Colonic is the second album I've been sent from chronic
hometaper Churchill's Tractor (aka John Churchill), and
like the last one (Operation:Bootyslap!), it's a tremendously
melodic, poorly recorded, and extremely enjoyable release for the DIY
generation. The songs are all very spirited and catchy, much like
the 'rockier' offerings of MJB, R. Stevie Moore, Ken
Clinger, and company.
Due to this genre's obvious sound limitations, it is at its best
when the melodies are strong and the pop hooks are in abundance.
"Hot Tamale" and its infectious, folk-influenced chorus is
easily the best tune on this disc; despite a hokey ending, its catchy
charm makes it one of the better lo-fi bedroom recordings I've heard
in a long while. Churchill's Tractor's other songs also
follow a similar formula, frequently using electric guitar to spice
things up. "Sweetie Pea" is a fine bit of jam rock
tinged pop and the title-track has an above average, lo-fi
sound.
As a whole collection, some of these tunes can get a bit boring and
repetitive ("Four-Track Mind" is clever but melodically
dull), though there should be plenty of truly enjoyable songs here to
please most hometaper collectors.
82%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 12 tracks, distributed by the
artist, released 2003] |