steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
blankred.jpg (4669 bytes)
info opinion


Evan Gold

"Steal The Scene" CDR EP

Self-Released

Genres: singer / songwriter, space folk

e-mail the artist

Jun 23 - 29 2003

After Gold's very promising Apex Matter, I was expecting quite a bit from Steal The Scene.  But it turned out that Evan's new work isn't nearly as inspired as that on his first EP.

Gold has described his music as worthy of an entirely new genre, "Punk-Folk Nouveau."  How presumptuous.  Despite listing countless famous musicians as his influences, Gold's songs still lack enough catchiness and listenability to please most listeners.  Tracks like "The Sons Of Consequences" and "71 Blue Morning" are remotely space-folk-esque, except too shouty and verbose, with the vocals sounding as if they're beating away the instrumentation, depleting any sense of accessibility.  

Meanwhile, Gold's songwriting isn't bad at all.  It's clear that in future recordings, Evan may want to make his singing a bit quieter and sparser to allow the other instruments some room to add melody and tune to the mix.  Every once in awhile, like in parts of "November Ever," we can see that Gold can actually get something going when he's working in a more minimal format.

All in all, this EP isn't worthwhile at all.  Hopefully Gold will be able to improve things for his next release.

64%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 6 songs, distributed by the artist, released 2003]