Novi
Split
"Keep Moving" CD
Sunset
Alliance
Genres: indie pop, lo-fi
Sunset Alliance
PO Box 32048
Mesa AZ 85275
Aug 27 - Sep 3 2004 |
Keep Moving is yet another original project for Sunset
Alliance, that Arizona label that keeps on broadening their field of
expertise. Like Rajiv Patel's Obey The Cattle,
this Novi Split disc introduces an entirely different style to
the primarily rock-concerned record label. These songs are much
less electric and more personal than the imprint's previous work -
each tune has been carefully laid out and recorded on lo-fi equipment,
resulting in fifteen distinctly potent pop nuggets. The
songwriting is calm but deceptively intricate - the lyrics, meanwhile,
are heartfelt and emotional. At times the band sounds like Guided
By Voices, while at others they tend towards Sparklehorse
tendencies.
"The 'Risks'" is a nice example of what Novi Split
are capable of when they're on their game. A close comparison
would be Pedro the Lion's "The Longer I Lay
Here." The two songs share the same personal atmosphere,
and also have somewhat similar melodies. Other favourites
include the bare-bones "300 Copies" and the very warm, Sparklehorse-tinged
"You Sleep, I Drive." None of the tunes are
particularly unpleasant, but only a select few stand out from the
rest. This makes for a listenable album - one you could be
inclined to play more than a few times - but not one you're likely to
grow attached to. If enjoyable, lo-fi pop appeals to you, Keep
Moving is an obvious choice.
85%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
15 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |