FEB 16 1995
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They ain’t
no potatos Idaho KIERAFLYNN There are thousands of names that catch your attention
when you browse through a music store: Babes in Toyland,
Corrosion of Conformity, Fugazi
etc. Nonetheless, the word Idaho might not jump out and
grab you. But it should. You might think this hodgepodge of musicians
assembled by Jeff Martin hails from the state most famous for
its potatoes, but :they are,
in fact, an L.A. based band. Their latest release on the much coveted label,
Caroline Records (who have spawn such offspring as Smashing
Pumpkins), is called
“This Way Out” This
album is the first product of a divided Idaho. Long time member John Berry was replaced by guest musicians Beck/Walt Mink drummer
Joey Waronker, That Dog/9 Iron drummer Tony Maxwell and recording and mixing assistant Marty Brumbach.
This combination seems to fit like
your favorite jeans and a pair of old work boots, their admitted influences
are Codeine; Leonard Cohen, Sebadoh, Pavement and
Neil Young. But critics have
described them as having the melancholy
of Morissey and the depression of Joy Division. Track one, called “Drop Off,” talks about the
death of friends or when friendship fades away.
Jeff Martin’s unadorned, simple truth voice gives extra edge
to the realization that people leave. Along similar lines, “Drive
it” is about disappointment and failed expectations. “Weird
Wood” presents a fragment of a failed relationship with a great
line; “I will not fail to offer you gifts from my heart that
will stay with you if it falls apart.” The song “Fuel” has a little more
power and less melancholy. It is featured on the soundtrack for “Floundering”
a new movie from the producer of “Repo
Man,” “Sid & Nancy,” and ‘Tapeheads”.
But don’t let the music fool you into thinking he’s happier,
this song also has the line, “I have got to go drown on
a beach somewhere.” This album also contains “Crawling Out” and
“Glow” (which are my personal favorites) and a Cure-like
instrumental song. Track eight, ‘Taken,” has a more jazz influenced background
and “Sweep” (track 6) has got a dreamy riff and a very Joy Division
fed to it. On the whole, these songs are about death, disappointment,
lost love, regret and failed relationships. A critic from the Alternative Press
said that if this album were a person “it would be prescribed
Prozac and advised to seek psychotherapy”. It might not have the angst
and energy of punk rock but Insight Magazine said it is “the
slowest record you’ll ever love.” Jeff
Martin has a kind of killing me softly vocal style made popular
by such greats as My Bloody Valentine, Ian Curtis of Joy
Division and the Smiths, but the sound itself does not come
off a whiny (as Morrissey does at times). In fact, he resembles
more the depression of J. Mascis
of Dinosaur Jr. (A very In a Jar type sound). If you are an
early Dinosaur Jr. fan I think
you will appreciate this album although the energy level is much
more sedate. This album is the one you want to listen to when
you feel like wallowing in self-pity or petty depression, but its morbidity
is contagious, so I would not recommend strict attention
to the contents of the lyrics. The musical arrangements are
beautiful at times and angry at others. Jeff Martin puts a lot of
emotion into these songs, almost rendering himself one
of the confessional poets of our time. He lets the somewhat
voyeuristic audience listen to and feel slices of his pain
and his worry hidden in his simplistic guitar style (i.e. his signature 4 -
string detuned Fender Telecaster). These are not a bunch of guys who are in it for
the money. Jeff Martin even spent three weeks as a music
composition, major at a California college. His conception of
music was vastly different from the curriculum. You could
say they had artistic differences. ”Jeff’s idea of how to
make rock is to throw mood on it like acid and watch
it slowly explode.” His painful words are neutralized by his cathartic
melodies and mesh together perfectly. You may not get to see them live because Jeff
says it takes him “a while to get into his stuff,” their
music is not really “quick impact.” So playing live is hard
for him. You can catch them on the “Floundering” soundtrack, their
latest album “Year After Year” or their Ep, “The Palms” (which is supposed to be
excellent). I would highly recommend that you pick up
Idaho’s “This Way Out.” If you like any of the bands mention
throughout this article it will be a welcome- addition to your
music collection. . |