Post by thesoundmonitor on Jul 10, 2004 1:13:10 GMT -5
STATE SHIRT
Don’t Die
(LFA)
Destined to be an obscure gem of a recording, State Shirt’s full-length debut is an eclectic concoction of soaring alternapop and wallowing shoegazing, all derived from an ambiguous collection of samples and an obvious love of Beck and Radiohead. At times beautifully romantic, and at others undoubtedly disturbing, Don’t Die is an album worthy of cult status, covering a broad spectrum of emotions and styles in a completely DIY framework.
A one-man band, State Shirt draws comparisons to both Mellowdrone and VAST, but not just for their lone membership. Like Mellowdrone, State Shirt relies heavily upon self-deprecation and like VAST State Shirt also likes to dabble in the odd electronic moment and left-of-centre sample. And like them both State Shirt also possesses a knack of crafting life-size choruses in modest settings (see ‘Life Isn’t Everything’).
Opening with the lead single ‘Strawman’ State Shirt uses a repetitive canine sample, twisted and treated to actually form the basis of the track. And if that’s not bizarre enough, a deliberately skipping electro-beat sends the listener scurrying for the eject button to check for scratches. But where many dabble in peculiar samples only to disappear up their own derriere, State Shirt keeps the craft of songwriting paramount, ensuring odd experiments do not become alienating and/or self-serving exhibitions in noise.
It is strange, however, that State Shirt would choose the most challenging tune to not only open the album, but also to push to radio. For as catchy as ‘Strawman’s melodies are, the whole mid-section would throw a radio announcer into a spin unless prior warning was served.
‘Not A Kid Anymore’ is the finest example of a Beck and VAST meeting, with dreamy electronic sequences clashing with low self-esteem in a display of comfortable disparity. Meanwhile ‘Postcard’ is built upon a beatbox sample with the regular vocals sounding as close to Thom Yorke as one could possibly get. In contrast State Shirt mimics the voice of Sting in ‘Indefinite Acrobat (Space Cadet)’.
The self-produced album released on State Shirt’s home label then takes a dramatic turn as it turns the light out on ‘Highway’ and then goes all tech-metal on ‘Edisons’ Medicine’ – a tune bookended by synthetic sequences and echoed vocals VAST fans would kill for. This metal edge could perhaps be attributed to State Shirt’s long history playing in punk and death metal bands across the USA, as most of us tend to do at one point in our lives.
But hey, don’t take some lame-arse reviewers word for it. State Shirt is currently offering a free CD from their website featuring ‘Strawman’ and a non-album track (‘Run Free’) - a tune that shows the mellower side of the unit. Perfect for the try-before-you-buyers out there.
By Warren Wheeler
www.stateshirt.net
www.losfuckingangeles.com
Don’t Die
(LFA)
Destined to be an obscure gem of a recording, State Shirt’s full-length debut is an eclectic concoction of soaring alternapop and wallowing shoegazing, all derived from an ambiguous collection of samples and an obvious love of Beck and Radiohead. At times beautifully romantic, and at others undoubtedly disturbing, Don’t Die is an album worthy of cult status, covering a broad spectrum of emotions and styles in a completely DIY framework.
A one-man band, State Shirt draws comparisons to both Mellowdrone and VAST, but not just for their lone membership. Like Mellowdrone, State Shirt relies heavily upon self-deprecation and like VAST State Shirt also likes to dabble in the odd electronic moment and left-of-centre sample. And like them both State Shirt also possesses a knack of crafting life-size choruses in modest settings (see ‘Life Isn’t Everything’).
Opening with the lead single ‘Strawman’ State Shirt uses a repetitive canine sample, twisted and treated to actually form the basis of the track. And if that’s not bizarre enough, a deliberately skipping electro-beat sends the listener scurrying for the eject button to check for scratches. But where many dabble in peculiar samples only to disappear up their own derriere, State Shirt keeps the craft of songwriting paramount, ensuring odd experiments do not become alienating and/or self-serving exhibitions in noise.
It is strange, however, that State Shirt would choose the most challenging tune to not only open the album, but also to push to radio. For as catchy as ‘Strawman’s melodies are, the whole mid-section would throw a radio announcer into a spin unless prior warning was served.
‘Not A Kid Anymore’ is the finest example of a Beck and VAST meeting, with dreamy electronic sequences clashing with low self-esteem in a display of comfortable disparity. Meanwhile ‘Postcard’ is built upon a beatbox sample with the regular vocals sounding as close to Thom Yorke as one could possibly get. In contrast State Shirt mimics the voice of Sting in ‘Indefinite Acrobat (Space Cadet)’.
The self-produced album released on State Shirt’s home label then takes a dramatic turn as it turns the light out on ‘Highway’ and then goes all tech-metal on ‘Edisons’ Medicine’ – a tune bookended by synthetic sequences and echoed vocals VAST fans would kill for. This metal edge could perhaps be attributed to State Shirt’s long history playing in punk and death metal bands across the USA, as most of us tend to do at one point in our lives.
But hey, don’t take some lame-arse reviewers word for it. State Shirt is currently offering a free CD from their website featuring ‘Strawman’ and a non-album track (‘Run Free’) - a tune that shows the mellower side of the unit. Perfect for the try-before-you-buyers out there.
By Warren Wheeler
www.stateshirt.net
www.losfuckingangeles.com