Reviews: Speedwell - My Life Is A Series Of Vacations
If you have seen a review not featured here, or have reviewed this or any other Engineer release yourself for your zine, please contact Engineer Records so we can add the review to our site, thanks.
Raw Nerve (http://www.rawnervepromotions.co.uk)
Well, I am not too sure if those are the four titles, but it's the only part of the notes that look anything like titles, and they are quality lines, so I will go with that in the meantime. I love long song titles! There are some cool noises at the start, which lead nicely into the opening rhythms, and the keyboard sounds actually continue on throughout much of the jangling chords and sweet sung vocals. This is for those who liked their PROPER nicer side of emo rock from a few years ago, Speedwell are keeping that original spirit alive. So many bands and people don't really know the roots of where emo came from, but Speedwell have it, the sound, the dynamics, the mood, it's all there. Cute, delicate, emotional! Simple really, and with some good little builds ups within the verses that bring the choruses to life as well, this bunch write good tunes. The addition and heavy, but clever use of the keyboards means that Speedwell also bring to the table some original ideas, and with each song having its own direction and character, this is all pretty refreshing. Mainly reminding me of Whirlpool, due to the light use of chords, male and female vocal combinations, and has similar overall sound in production as well. A very good listen all round.
Track Listing: I've Gotta Practise My Lines, Under Your Window In The Summertime Tired But Excited, Six Years Of Promises I Find That I Can Hear You, But I Can't Hear You At All I Don't Need A Second Chance, Or A Thrid Chance, Or A Killer Line, I Need A New Valentine
Scene It All (http://sceneitall.net)
Speedwell, another amazing band being re-released by Engineer Records, have had a long time reputation for providing fans with beautifully harmonic music, with dual vocals and the presence of a keyboard. Speedwell have been featured on radio stations all across the US, and have rapidly accumulated a rather large fan base from their melodic style. The latest re-release is their EP "My Life Is A Series Of Vacations", a four track album loaded with some great emotional rock. If you haven't already noticed, Engineer Records has been on a serious roll of releasing amazing bands and amazing records to the masses, and this album is going to be no different or no less appealing that the others.
The opening track "Calling On Columbia Pike" enters with a slick keyboard tempo, and leads into a really catchy riff. Once the two co-exist, the complementation between them is awesome and makes for a great song. The vocals are great and fit the music perfectly. Once the female backup vocals come in, that's the next standing point that makes this band great. They seem to leverage numerous musical aspects and use them in moderation, which make a formula for addicting rhythms. "This Is Us" begins with an interesting sound, somewhat experimental sounding, kinda synthetic, then mellows out quickly. This is another beautiful tune, that is very laid back and easy on the ears.
"Two Conquests" begins as an acoustic track with a very simple guitar medley, then softly adds a subtle background guitar. You have the female backup vocals once again on this track, and they really add a level of ambiance to the already immense beauty of the song. "Your Atlantic" is a little more up-beat, and starts off with a really catchy collaboration of music. Near the end of the track is where it really gets compelling, the mix between the drumlines and guitar riffs created a really hypnotizing feel. My favorite song off the album is "Calling On Columbia Pike", the intro keyboard is priceless, and the dual vocals shine exceptionally on that track.
You might be wondering why we're reviewing an album that was re-released back in 2002, but once you listen to the album and take a look at what Engineer Records has been up to in terms of releases, you'll be glad we took the time to revamp their awesome roster. Speedwell are a great band with a perfect mix between male and female vocals, the excellent use of a keyboard, and a talented roster of musicians. If you're looking for something a little spunky yet with a good rock feel, then Speedwell are a great choice. I'd encourage you to investigate further into this band as well as the rest of Engineer's disco.
Punk News (http://www.punknews.org)
Nice tracing paper packaging, tracing paper isn't used enough in CD booklets. You may have heard Speedwell before on the third volume of the Emo Diaries compilation series, although that's the only one that I own, and from what I remember they didn't exactly stick out on there, and to be honest this CD is kinda the same. It has a great first track with some weird keyboard bits and is totally poppy indie rock that erm, rocks! But it all goes very dull from there, I'd be interested to hear any follow up releases to see how they continue though, whether they prefer the upbeat keyboard led stuff, or the melancholy, acoustic stuff that they don't do that well.
UK Base (http://www.ukbase.org.uk)
Speedwell are a four piece from America, VA which ever state that is (sorry for my ignorance) but they have released this on England's very on Ignition Records, and I've got to say if you like your Emo on the pop side then this is for you, Ignition releases throw out loads of comparisons to 'The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, The Promise Ring, Cross My Heart, Pop Unknown, Brandtson, Benton Falls, Cap n Jazz, The Anniversary, The Oliver Twist, Weezer' and yes it is true that this is the case, they have a poppy emo side like Get Up kids but also a more mature sound of The Promise Ring or even Elliot at times. But what I have noticed is there is also an underlying early 90's indie rock feel to this I couldn't put my finger on it at first but then it came to me, a blast from the my musical past: 'House Of Love', that's what 'This Is Us' and 'Two Conquests', don't know if they have ever heard of this band but if you have and liked what you heard then pick this up for sure. The vocals are great and fit the music impeccably, the structure to the songs can't be knocked. Another strong release under Ignition's belt.
Reason To Believe (#6)
Four tracks of ace indie rock. Half of the tracks are up-tempo with keyboards, stop/start rhythms, male and female harmonies and catchy tunes. The other half are more laid back and acoustic. I need to hear more of this band!
Scanner (#12)
4 beguiling tracks here from a band who show a definite gumption for intelligent songwriting. From the opening track, you instantly wanna like the band. It's a super melodic song, up-tempo... the kinda thing the PROMISE RING can ably do. The middle 2 tracks show a darker, more sombre side with one being an acoustic strum. The closer returns to melody and increases the tempo.. with the vision and energy that the opening and closing tracks possess, I heartily suggest SPEEDWELL follow that path and ditch the overly enigmatic and lugubrious melancholic side of their sound which kinda hindered a few things on here. Neat packaging too.
Unfit For Consumption (#6)
Speedwell play the kind of music that will appeal to fans of The Get Up Kids, The Promise Ring, Jimmy Eat World and Weezer. Its melodic alternative pop rock while at the same time its emo in the Deep Elm Records vein in so far as they"ve even had a song in the Emo Diaries compilation series. "My Life is a Series of Vacations" is a brilliantly solid 4 song ep, the highlights being the really strong vocal delivery, the overall variety and the sometimes used electronic action. To rounds things off its all packages using some exceedingly cool grease proof paper sheet over the booklet. I may not have used many words to describe this but trust me, its a great record. (TM)
Joost van Ingen at Inside Knowledge (#5)
The first thing that hits my senses is the remarkable artwork..! Good job..! Then when I put it in my stereo, the sound of an organ we all know from bands like The Get Up Kids. Also, remarkable is the female vocalist who adds a unique sound to Speedwell. Some rock pop influences like Jimmy Eat World take over control as we get further. The ambience gets more spiritual with clean guitars. As you hear (read); There are enough styles mixed on this album. So every body will like it.
RG Monster (http://www.rgmonster.com)
Speedwell, are a 4 piece that create extremely accessible alternative rock with a catchiness about them! The band are capable of creating a rock/emo fuelled song as they show in "Calling On Columbia Pike" with a style that fans of Jimmy Eat World, The Get Up Kids and even Weezer would probably dig. It's very high pacey stuff. then onto 'this Is Us" which kicks in with a funk fashion, distortion before unfolding into a melodic tune that builds up with heartfelt lyrics, gathering pace at each turn. 'two Conquests" shows the more harmonic edge to the band with this slow paced ballad tune. A very heartfelt tune that drifts along like a lazy Sunday. "Your Atlantic" builds in a melancholy fashion before kicking in with a more punk like beat. The vocals seem different in this track, more strong and punchy (in a certain way) though this style does fade into the music well. A steady tune to finish the EP with. I think this band definitely have potential though in my opinion sometimes lack that punch needed in some songs. It will suit fans of emo though, I imagine the band will get media attention in all shapes and sizes as well as differing opinions, but as long as they are getting publicised and listened to people can make their own minds up. Good luck to them.
Adequacy (http://www.adequacy.net)
Speedwell is a foursome from a city that, despite my research, I wasn't able to determine. I did notice this release was recorded in Arlington, Virginia, so they probably reside in that general area. One may be duped into believing this is a split EP if they weren't told otherwise. Within, the four songs on My Life is a Series of Vacations, two different vocalists give rather different spins on the band's sound. One makes the music somewhat jarring; the other makes it quite listenable.
The title to the first track, "Calling on Columbia Pike," probably somehow secretly influenced my listing of The Get Up Kids as part of the RIYL. But there are some parallels between the two bands. The Get Up Kids' lead vocalist has a somewhat whiny voice, and the vocalist on this first track extends that whine past my threshold. Thankfully, however, it's rounded off by the backing female vocals, and a soft keyboard that sounds like my computer in the latter stages of a fatal malfunction. It has a predictably catchy chorus, and the verse lyrics are nothing to swoon over: "Here's everything that you missed / When it's cold like this I need a kiss." The root of my frustration with this track though, has to be the vocalist. I had a flashback to my high-school choir days when I was listening to this track. One of the three basses in our male section, Travis was his name, didn't seem to be able sing without sticking his neck out like a chicken. I guess he thought it would help him reach the high notes, but invariably it cut his range down considerably. Does this have anything at all to do with my review? I don't know. But that's the picture I get in my head when I listen to this guy. Like he is sticking his neck out, holding something back vocally.
Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard a new vocalist on'this is Us." The band did a nice 180, and really mellowed out their sound. Instead of The Anniversary, the band sounds more like older staple emo bands, like Mineral or SDRE. What I think I really like about this track is that they don't seem to be 'trying." Sometimes it irritates me when I know people are trying to make a good song, like Rivers Cuomo and his catalog of all pop songs, and his quest to be able to make infinite pop hits anytime. It's fine sometimes, but mostly I want to listen to music done for the musician. 'two Conquests" kept my hopes alive for this band, as it kept the nice sedate sound I'm much more fond of. This time, in the form of an acoustic track, with kind of a stoner feel to it. The lyrics even seem to be written by someone else. "Cold evenings / The snow piles up outside your window / conceding / your arching back falls down beside / Try not to move." The last track, in my opinion, digresses back to their original sound. I wish I could enjoy it more, but I cant.
So maybe Speedwell is doing a little experimenting within the band, and they are trying to find out which sound the public likes more. Maybe there was a fight, and the compromise was two songs per vocalist on the EP. Maybe, they are the same guy and I am too stupid to realize it. Either way, I like the two mellow songs on this release, and I personally didn't like the other two tracks.
Paul Priest at Raw Nerve Promotions (http://www.rawnervepromotions.co.uk)
There are some cool noises at the start, which lead nicely into the opening rhythms, and the keyboard sounds actually continue on throughout much of the jangling chords and sweet sung vocals. This is for those who liked their PROPER nicer side of emo rock from a few years ago, Speedwell are keeping that original spirit alive. So many bands and people don't really know the roots of where emo came from, but Speedwell have it, the sound, the dynamics, the mood, it's all there. Cute, delicate, emotional! Simple really, and with some good little builds ups within the verses that bring the choruses to life as well, this bunch write good tunes. The addition and heavy, but clever use of the keyboards means that Speedwell also bring to the table some original ideas, and with each song having its own direction and character, this is all pretty refreshing. Mainly reminding me of Whirlpool, due to the light use of chords, male and female vocal combinations, and has similar overall sound in production as well. A very good listen all round.
