(Ionik Records - www.ionikrecords.com) [Genres: indie rock, diy, experimental pop, lo-fi, jangle pop]
This ep, on the wonderful Ionik Records label, collects nine short songs by
the very diy-influenced Erik Schmall (under the pseudonym Woody Whatever). The recording
level is delightfully unprofessional, and many songs, such as "Salute to Classical
Music" feature quite a bit of tape hiss. Fortunately, the production quality never
seems to interfere with the music, instead making it sound more like a musical artifact.
This is a very pop-based affair, as songs such as "Stale Males" are actually
quite reminiscent of bands like Pavement (except much more amateurish and experimental).
On the other hand, "On Your Way To" sounds like it belongs on an oldies
collection, despite the poor recording quality. This ep represents a nice variety of pop
songs, using a mixture of spacey, slow pieces, as well as excited, energetic ones. Rest
assured, listen to this once and you'll probably get some of these tunes stuck in your
head immediately. As for influences, this ep seems to be quite similar to music by bands
such as Smog, Pavement, Guided By Voices, and perhaps even some Modest Mouse. As well, the
lo-fi, home-produced aspect of it does not detract from it's beauty, but rather adds to
it. But, I would still really like to see what Woody Whatever could do if he was given the
chance to have his music professionally recorded and produced. DIY indie fans, you'll eat
this up.
82%
Top Tracks: "Let a Saw In,"
"Calculated Confusion," "I Won't Last"
(Ionik Records, 274 Senator Place, #5, Cincinnati, OH 45220)
This ep, on the wonderful Ionik Records label, collects nine short songs by
the very diy-influenced Erik Schmall (under the pseudonym Woody Whatever). The recording
level is delightfully unprofessional, and many songs, such as "Salute to Classical
Music" feature quite a bit of tape hiss. Fortunately, the production quality never
seems to interfere with the music, instead making it sound more like a musical artifact.
This is a very pop-based affair, as songs such as "Stale Males" are actually
quite reminiscent of bands like Pavement (except much more amateurish and experimental).
On the other hand, "On Your Way To" sounds like it belongs on an oldies
collection, despite the poor recording quality. This ep represents a nice variety of pop
songs, using a mixture of spacey, slow pieces, as well as excited, energetic ones. Rest
assured, listen to this once and you'll probably get some of these tunes stuck in your
head immediately. As for influences, this ep seems to be quite similar to music by bands
such as Smog, Pavement, Guided By Voices, and perhaps even some Modest Mouse. As well, the
lo-fi, home-produced aspect of it does not detract from it's beauty, but rather adds to
it. But, I would still really like to see what Woody Whatever could do if he was given the
chance to have his music professionally recorded and produced. DIY indie fans, you'll eat
this up.
Top Tracks: "Let a Saw In,"
"Calculated Confusion," "I Won't Last"