"Twin Language" is often described as a series of sounds or noises used
to communicate when language hasn't actually developed yet, and having
someone right there with you enforcing this fake language doesn't help.
These sounds are not unlike the squeaks and grunts used to open "A
Stirstick's Prediction," the first track on Despistado' debut EP, "The
Emergency Response." Formed by two "best friends and next-door
neighbors since they were four years old," Dargan Harding and Leif
Thorseth, Despistado hails from Regina, Saskatchewan and exudes a small-
town, closely-knit vibe on their EP.
Unfortunately, this means that their sound is self-referential and
inbred. Although actually recorded in a studio in June 2003, the songs
sound like they came from a bedroom in 1963. Dargan apparently got the
lead singer gig for his willingness to fill dead space in songs
with "yeah yeah yeah (ad nauseum)" through heavy compression. The
possible political lyrics are indecipherable, but the one- or two-note
melodies aren't going to provide an impetus to actually check out the
lyric sheet anyway. Joel Passmore's backing vocals are more often than
not one-note screamofests that really should exist outside of the more
mellow Despistado sound. While drummer Brenan Schwartz provides some
jazzy grooves throughout the EP, including some tribal skin-pounding
in "Bubbles" similar to Pearl Jam's "W.M.A.," the guitars seem
determined to hold your booty back. The simple, angular guitar lines
are filled with amateur tricks like trilling, pick scrapes, and slides
that belie their appearance as an experienced band. Given that they've
only been performing live for less than two years, they may have something
to offer in the future. For now, their music sure could be a hit in Regina, but the rest of us have heard it all before
joel
October 22, 2004 05:10:52
thanks for the review. i\'m not sure that our inbred sound has much to do with where we\'re from. my sister/momma thinks our music is cool and uncle/daddy says that brother/cousin sings our songs on his long cow ride to the nearest mud pit. i can\'t wait until we have electricity here so i can play the album for all my friends.
