Half
Visconte
"Was It Fear?"
CD
Sunset
Alliance
Genres: indie rock
Sunset Alliance
PO Box 32048
Phoenix AZ 85275
May 19 - 25 2003 |
Was
It Fear? is an amazing record. Take the emotional nature of
emo, subtract the whining, add excellent songwriting, and you've got Half
Visconte. While it isn't the sing-along pop fix you may have been
looking for, Was It Fear? instead is a deep, dark stroll
through a world of moody desperation, as guided by four guys from the
USA.
The first thing you'll notice about this album is its stubbornness
to conform to popular convention. While you'll have your
occasional two-and-a-half minute gem, Half Visconte aren't
afraid to jump into a slow, quarter-hour epic afterwards to
throw you off your balance. Passionate indie rock melodies come
effortlessly in the emotional "A Walking Tour of Trinidad,
CO," while a song like "11" vies for a less accessible
instrumental approach. So is the story with Was It Fear?
- it's never fit to stay with one style. And while this may seem
woefully inconsistent at first, it works wonders in this case, keeping
the listener engaged and entertained.
So let's hope the members of Half Visconte - who have
already persevered and stuck together through moves across the country
(the members are now spread out all over the USA) - can stay a band
for at least one more album. If Was It Fear? is any
indication, HV could be heading towards legendary status -
defying musical convention all the way to the indie rock hall of fame.
90%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
13 songs, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |