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The Color Guard Dark Pop music review |
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The Color Guard
Dark Pop
Suziblade Music
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With high-pitched jagged riffs and a he-does, she-does lyrical setup
backed
by a dark tango beat, lead vocalist Lalena Fissure sings with ska tones
in
this track.
And this is a piece of the puzzle to deciphering The Color Guard.
Having
released their third album, Dark Pop (Suziblade Music, 2005) they are
on
their way to making one hell of a bold statement. By God, you had
better
listen.
The New York group, consisting of Fissure (guitar, triangle, music
box),
Caryn Havlik (drums, Latin prayers), Jeanne Gilliland (bass, vocals,
flute)
and Josh Zisman (guitar, vocals) appear to be the type of open-minded
art
students that each excel greatly in a different department. And they
do. The
problem is that separated, they could be more appreciated for their
talent
and efforts.
For example, in "Your Kiss Is My Command," Fissure obtains an elevated
vocal
range with would be most suitable for an opera singer to best
compliment her
ability. And what a pitch it is. The song begins with an enticing flute
intro, followed by fierce drumming and a spellbinding, druggy hook
that’s
reminiscent of The Mama’s and The Papa’s "California Dreamin’." An
electrified guitar solo takes the spotlight and the song ends with
layers of
lyrics sung by each member for a nice blanket effect. "In A Hurricane" honestly gave me shivers. The vocals pierce into your
mind
and incite such incredible emotion. One of the most beautiful tracks on
the
album, it has a capsizing buildup with jungle-beat drums to set the
pace
with.
At this point, The Color Guard seem to take on a folk music
direction,
with a new-age, effervescent twist. It’s a musical epic from start to
finish, and this track alone really lets the individual abilities of
each
band member shine.
There’s a vocal elegance worthy of Cranberry status in "My Domesticated
Beast," where influences seem to be taken from everywhere, making the
band
become a cornucopia of musical madness. The unfortunate part is that
after
listening to a few tracks, it becomes apparent that there is too much
outstanding talent in this 44.00-minute album. Thankfully the group
manages
not to overshadow one another, but the best way to enjoy their
magnificence
is to isolate them from one another as the tracks are being listened
to. The
drumming is rampant and wild, storytelling and calming at other times;
the
guitar and bass playing is extremely unique and unlike anything that’s
out
today-- whimsical and intriguing; and the vocals on each member
(especially
Fissure) are each gifted in diverse ways to better suit the singer.
If Michelangelo, de Vinci, Van Gogh and Monet made a collage of all
their
artwork, they wouldn’t be as easily recognized as they are today. The
same
seems to apply for The Color Guard-- a unique and fascinating band
where
each member holds skills great enough to make it as a solo artist.
Dissected, Dark Pop is a masterpiece, but without the breakdown, the
record
is almost too much. The album title says it all-- The Color Guard is
darkened pop with a smattering of pinpointed and reveled genres.
Eclectic,
poetic rock with thrashing drums and lustrous guitarwork combined with
intensified vocals full of stories just waiting to be shared. This is
The
Color Guard, and they are true artists.
-Arie Musil 03/13/05
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