Member:
Jane
Date:
1/1/2000
Though this 5-piece Canadian band describes their style as “Space Rock”, I find them prog-esque enough to be deserving of a post in this forum, and (I hope) a listen to from the list. According to the MP3.com site, this band has been making music for some time, yet the band members are quite young and - I think - with a little support, have much potential to evolve and mature in both style and composition.
Overall, the band’s style is atmospheric, with languid, hypnotic vocals and instrumentation stripped of bludgeoning complexity. The band has songs available to listen to or download at: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/87/seeking_dawn.html.
One of my favorites available there is "Pinstriped Racketeer", a choppy, at times deliberately hesitant acoustic guitar tune. The song is quite dream-like with breathy, sensual vocals, that - true to the title - is reminiscent of a 30’s era radio crooner. The only percussion I am able to hear is some type of hand held effects-percussion instrument (though, what it is I don't know). If the beauty of the song is its simplicity, the downfall is its length. Running at 1:20 min, the band would have done well to add an instrumental bridge or extended outro, not only for the purpose of prolonging the “dream”, but to add some structural variation.
"Telepeople" is a rockier, cynical guitar/synth/drums tune with the usual but comfortable chord progressions. Nice, but again, too short.
"Sam the Robot" is a melancholy electronic tune composed for the movie short of the same title, an equally affecting movie (recommended, and available for viewing at the SEeKing Dawn official site: http://www.seekingdawn.com .)
Also, just for fun is "Sam the Robot: end titles (alternate)." This is listed as a game sound track, and it sounds very much like one (completely electronic), with quirky singsong vocals dispersed at irregular intervals. It completely cracked me up.
The track I recommend most is their newest, "The Changeling." This has by far the most proggy feel and conversely, the most chance (IMO) for commercial appeal, both in composition and song length. Again, the vocals have an ethereal, narcotic seductiveness (Joshua Richardson - can you tell I like the vocal talent here?). Instrumentally, it is a beautiful performance with high-end synth/guitar, building and arpeggiating near the end. Structurally, it is the most cohesive piece with a haunting and simple guitar and vocal intro, building in its complexity and resolves well with a mild and melodic outro. If you have an inclination to give this band one listen, please make it this one.
Fair goodbye, good people!!!
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