There is nothing terribly exceptional about the Los Angeles-based band Chalk Farm except for the fact that they play solid rock 'n' roll songs with a refreshingly honest and simplistic style. Within a strikingly short period of time, the band has gone from playing house parties and coffeehouses to recording an album and just recently finishing up touring with Better than Ezra. Their debut release "Notwithstanding" showcases not only genuine talent but creative musicianship and quality songwriting on the part of guitarist/vocalist Michael Duff and lead guitarist Trace Ritter.
It is not difficult to recognize a few familiar influences in Chalk Farm's casual yet powerful sound. The first few notes of the opening track "Live Tomorrow" remind the listener of the acoustic narrative style of Toad the Wet Sprocket and soon build into a rather catchy tune behind the athletic bass of Orlando Sims and the soothing melody of Duff's vocals. Things get a bit louder on the Live-esque "Wonder" which features a mini drum solo lead-in by Tony Scarbrough and spurts of thick driving guitar tightly arranged into somewhat of a disjointed rhythm.
The radio-friendly single "Lie on Lie" shows the Farm at its best. Duff's inspiring voice quivers slightly with emotion and harmonizes perfectly with the playing of Sims and Ritter during a chorus that is sure to have you tapping your feet and humming along by the song's end. Duff's lyrics add an entire other dimension to Chalk Farm and preach a message of hope that borders on political: "I think it will take us more than legislation / I think it will take us more than filling graves / and I say that you can not force appreciation."
Perhaps the most intriguing of the songs on "Notwithstanding" is "Lilly Anne," which starts off moderately paced and teases the listener as it builds slowly, note by note, until Duff and the gang finally explode into an invigorating chorus. The unorthodox rhythmic progressions and subtle chord changes create an exciting sound that forces you to want to hear the tune over and over again.
The sentimental "It's Up To You" features The Wallflower's Rami Jaffe on accordion. "Sunflower" and "Lose" are two other tracks worthy of praise, both of which start off at a medium pace but simmer down into a quiet melodic verse only to be again thrown into a faster chorus.
The intertwining of electric and acoustic guitars seems to be a popular trend in alternative music these days, however Chalk Farm has plenty of its own original musical ideas and talent to keep their sound energetic, fresh and deserving of much attention.
- Brian Cohen
The Exceptions have always been Detroit ska at its best. Even after changing its line up of members, the band has released yet another ska classic entitled "Five Finger Discount."
Never to be taken too seriously, the Exceptions have composed 11 hilarious songs about girls, the police and even kleptomania. The first track, "Trailer Park Girl," is about a psychotic girl who wants to get pregnant and married so that she can get out of her present situation. By the end of the song, singer John Williams seems amazed and embarrassed to have found out that "she was only 15."
The songs on this album are much like old Mighty Mighty Bosstone tunes from "Devil's Night Out," combining a large horn section with hard guitar lines and drumming during the choruses. The singer sounds similar to Mike Patton of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle. But overall, the Exceptions are all ska, all Detroit and cool as hell.
"Me, Me, Me" is the hardest, yet funkiest song on the album, with the singer screaming through a barrage of drums, "I've got so much trouble on my mind!" "Boss' Wife" is a satire about killing the boss' better half. "She's gonna dock your pay," and "Mind your own business," are sung by Williams.
Being the exception to the style on this album, "Oven" is a slow, jazzy ska melody that will make its listeners want to swing. Then there is the title track, an upbeat song about being a kleptomaniac. Williams sings, "I had no money left, but I still walked in," while the whole band shouts "five finger discount."
The Exceptions will never cease to amaze the music industry with their premier ska. "Five Finger Discount" is proof of this, and if this album doesn't get you skankin' around your room, there is definitely something wrong.
- Brian M. Kemp
What do they grow at the Chalk Farm?