However the next song ‘2-3-74’ was slightly more toned down, making it easier to listen to, although the mix of the song wasn’t good as the different parts of it just seemed to be at random sound levels. This song was also pretty repetitive, as the guitar seemed to do the same thing the whole way through and the vocals went between a screamo voice and another quite, voice which didn’t seem to really meld with the rest of the music.
When the next song ‘Pickmans Model’ started I was hopeful that I had found a song on the ep that I liked. The song starts off with a happy guitar riff reminiscent of the 80’s pop, but then the familiar vocals came in and with a driving drumbeat drove the song down the same road as the other songs on the album. The song also seems to drag with an extended distortion note going onto a breakdown screamo section, but it does finish on an interesting chord.
‘Useless Marksman’ seems to follow the same blueprint of the previous songs: a screamo singer droning on about something, however its difficult to distinguish, another vocalist coming in at random parts, which unfortunately sounds almost out of place, however when they do their harmonies you can almost see why they have more than one singer. There is also a very skilled guitar solo in the song. The song ‘Iphis Breathes/Black Conrail’ seems to be more of a song for the band to show off their talents on their instruments, however every section of it seems to be repeated just a few too many times, but you can hear their skill. And the final song on the ep is the ‘VALIS’. I am not sure what to say about it. To me it is the same as every other song on the ep, but I am sure the lyrics have some important meaning, since the song must be based on the author Philip. K. Dick, however again I cant distinguish anything that is being said.
If you look at the sound levels on the songs there is very little variation in them, except at the start where the band seems to have adopted a habit of having a starting riff in all their songs. This riff is the one that they continue throughout the rest of the song, but it isn’t so distorted. It almost feels to me that they are trying to lull you into a sense of security! The band are obviously very talented at their instruments, but it just seems to me like they are trying to hard to fit something new together after leaving their last bands. However its possible that they could have a large fan base of people who like this type of music, however for me (bearing in mind I do have an ear infection!) Its just a little too distorted and screechy. But hey. If this is your type of music then give Salo a listen.
Lucie Douglas
