 Winter
"Deceit" CD
Winter
Productions
Genres: alternative rock, independent rock
Jan 20 - 26 2002 |
Winter
are not going to win any cover design contests for their album. The
"art" on this album had me loathing the day I'd have to
review it. And their poorly-built website had me even more worried.
But when the day came that I had to write a review, I was
pleasantly surprised. Though nothing groundbreaking, Deceit
(actually a collection of the band's best demos over the past five
years) is a very fresh, catchy album that many people will likely
enjoy. The band has a knack for taking taking the "alternative
rock" style and adding their own little songwriting nuances to
it. Often their songs will go over the standard "four
minute" mark of modern popular music, and instead go for more
empassioned, five-minute tracks that blend pop sensibilities with
elements of other music, like metal-esque guitars and even a bit of
early-90s grunge melodies.
A good example of their music is the seven-minute opener track,
"Inside (Part I and Part II)". Starting off with merely a
few atmospheric sound effects, the tune quickly introduces the drums,
guitar, bass and vocals - from here, it becomes a powerful rocker with
a very catchy chorus. Then, half-way through, the sound deflates into
nothing, only to finish off for the three-minute second part of the
piece, which is more subdued and downbeat, featuring a nice use of the
cello, and also some experimental keyboard work. Another excellent
song is "This Turning Dream," a moody, powerful rocker that
works best in the dark, where it has a wonderful epic feeling to it.
The other tracks are also enjoyable - there's four more guitar-rock
songs, as well as an instrumental and a sprited cover version of the Iggy
Pop/David Bowie song, "China Girl." Deceit is
recommended for listeners looking for something different, but not too
different.
75%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
8 songs, distributed by CD
Baby, released 2002] |
