Here's a review I submitted for the now defunct Clinton zine. Not very good, but here it is anyway...
The year 2001 has proven to be a fairly unexciting year for music. The story so far: nu-metal has officially taken over, Radiohead are getting weirder by the minute and Destiny’s Child are cool (apparently). That’s about it. However there has been one band livening things up and creating a stir in the Hamilton music scene. Well, it got a mention in the paper, at least.
Luna Spark is a (more or less) solo project by the infamous Tracey Exenola. When you think about it, it has a lot in common with Dimmer. The instigators of each band are both ‘shadowy’ figures lurking in the depths of their respective music scenes, they both make pretty cool tunes and they both look kinda funny. ;)
(Apologies for the emoticons, won’t happen again.)
Anyway, on with the review. As it is only a six-track EP and I want to fill up the page, I’ll take you on a journey of ‘Sarah’ track by track. Are you ready? Then let’s begin.
Straight off, the first track is an instrumental. Unusual, but it doesn’t matter because it’s a good ‘un. Eerie keyboards mixed in with frantic drums make it reminiscent of new school Radiohead.
Next up, ‘Put This On Your Headline’. From the get-go it’s right into my first casio tone territory. Then the vocals come into play. Hang on, I didn’t know Tracey Exenola could sing! Well, he can’t. He doesn’t seem to want to strive for the dulcet tones of say a Chris Martin, and that’s fine because it means you can sing along no matter how flat you are (why do you think Wheatus are so popular?). Sure, it ain’t pretty, but it does the job.
The third track is distinctive for what I affectionately call a fart bass-line. There really isn’t much to excite here, sorry. ‘Scratches After Plasters’, you are the weakest link.
So far so average, huh? Fear not, things pick up drastically in the second half, starting with ‘Everyone’s For Anything’. Sounding to these ears like an out-take from Kid A-era Radiohead, it has a surprisingly catchy chorus that sticks in your mind for days at a time.
The relatively simplistic ‘Heaven Rides’ is next. Consisting of mainly a guitar, vocals and 80s-style drum machine, there is a lot less of the cheesy synth trickery present here. And I think the track is better for it. Speaking of the drums, this kind of drum machine sound is rampant the whole way through this EP. I bit too much New Order et al, methinks.
Lastly we come to ‘Accent’, hands down the best track here in my opinion. Weighing in at 7+ minutes, the hook on this song is good enough to take home to meet the parents. One of my favourites for weeks now. Solid. (Also notable for the only instance of swearing on the EP – watch out Linkin Park/Creed groupies, the f word abounds!) The start of it sounds like Kylie Minogue though.
On the basis of this EP it’s not hard to see how Luna Spark have gained fame, fortune and groupies a number one on mp3.com.au (a feat only rivaled by the venerable Mark Tepuhi). From a start such as this Luna Spark should go a long way…
Hey, at least it’s not Lifehouse.
Verdict: :) :) :) :)
(4 annoying emoticons out of a possible 5)
