Sound Supply Drop 2 Package Review

Posted 04/17/2012 07:25AM by Nick Senior as Article

04/17/2012 07:25AM

The Sound Supply offers ten albums for $15, with an eleventh album potentially unlocked if a certain sales quota is made. At worst, that is merely $1.50 per album, so if the music is good, “the drop” is certainly worth it. The question is: is the music worthwhile?

Polock - Getting Down from the Trees

The most noticeable issue with the list of albums here is that there is a heavy lean on acoustic/folk singer-songwriters. Thankfully, these Spaniards are eager to provide a much-needed spark into “the drop”. Sounding like a mix of Phoenix and The Strokes, the album presents a light and fairly fun summer-y indie rock effort. There are some melodies that shine (see “High on Life”), but the album is not the sort that will propel the band to the top of the indie rock heap. Rating: 3.25/5

The Xcerts - Scatterbrain

Without question, this is the odd band in the bunch, as The Xcerts is much closer to post-hardcore than indie-rock. In fact, the band refers to its sound as “distorted pop”, and that hits the mark pretty well. The influence of every Brand New and Manchester Orchestra record can be found throughout Scatterbrain, but a certain pop sensibility permeates the entirety of the album, which helps the band stand out. There is no question that this is the highlight of “the drop”. This is catchy, energetic music that should be enjoyed at a loud volume, just the way I (and of course my roommates) like it. Rating: 4/5

Owen - Ghost Town

Owen is the side-project of Mike Kinsella, the vocalist from influential 90s alternative bands American Football and Cap’n Jazz, and hearing those bands mentioned, one might expect that same style of emotional rock. Sadly, the result is a bit different, as the album sticks to a fairly standard indie pop/rock template musically. Ghost Town’s saving grace is the emotion Mike Kinsella pours into the album, both musically and lyrically. Rating: 3.5/5

Chris Staples - Badlands

Another album, another side project. Here we are presented with the solo effort of the former singer of Twothirtyeight and Discover America. Unlike Owen, here listeners are left with a man and his guitar, nothing more. Chris’s voice and songwriting abilities help carry the album, but sadly those abilities can’t do much more than make this an average release. Rating 2.5/5

Sleeping at Last - Storyboards

I have jokingly described Sleeping at Last as “what Coldplay would sound like if they weren’t terrible”, and as much as I want to laugh it off, many a truth is said in jest. There is a twinge of indie rock/folk found within Storyboards, but the majority of the album consists of excellently executed pop/rock that takes influence from a large dose of U2 and a dash of Radiohead. Ryan O’Neal’s vocals are absolutely stellar, and the songwriting is mostly solid throughout. The issue is a couple tracks are a bit snooze-worthy, but the depth of the lyrics is still present even when the music quality wanes a touch. Lines like, “Religion is a breeding ground, where the devil’s work is deeply found,” showcase the care and effort that was put into Storyboards. Ultimately, this is perfect background music for those dramatic moments and montages in movies, except this doesn’t suck. Rating: 3.75/5

Matt Pryor - Mad Day

If you grew up in the 90s, you undoubtedly are aware of the influence of The Get Up Kids. Matt Pryor is the lead singer of said band, and his take on acoustic indie folk is on display here. The result is a bit better than his past solo release, Confidence Man, but the nagging problems of that album carry over to May Day such as being laid back to a fault. Thus, listeners are left with a relaxing (if not sometimes boring) acoustic folk album that is good solely because Matt’s obvious likeability, not because the results are rousing or unique. Rating: 3/5

Right Away, Great Captain! - The Eventually Home

This is the most difficult of the “drop” to grade for two reasons. This is the solo work of Manchester Orchestra’s vocalist Andy Hull first and foremost. Second, some of these songs are borderline fantastic. The problem is a significant portion of the album is marred by a refusal to be anything other than boring. If more songs were as enjoyable “Devil Dressed in Blue” or “What a Pity” then this would be a can’t-miss album. As it stands, The Eventually Home is an uneven and frustrating effort. Rating: 2.5/5

TW Walsh - Songs of Pain & Leisure

Here is the solo work of former Pedro the Lion-drummer TW Walsh, another presentation of laid-back indie pop/rock. While some of the orchestrations are well-crafted, Songs of Pain & Leisure ends up being a bit of a pain to get all the way through. It is not altogether a poor record, but the album seems most well-suited for those moments of quiet leisure, aka nap time. Rating: 2.25/5

TS & The Past Haunts - Gone & Goner

It’s not an entirely spot-on comparison, but if you like Foxy Shazam, you will most likely enjoy Gone & Goner, as it has one foot planted firmly in the past and one on the distortion pedal. Fuzzy, psychedelic guitars give way to the vocals of former Piebald singer, Travis Shettel. Gone & Goner sounds like it was recorded in the 1970s, and that feel augments the fun factors of this retro indie-rock group. This isn’t as special or unique as Foxy Shazam, but dammit, it is fairly fun. Rating: 3.25/5

Jeremy Enigk - OK Bear

Decoy’s own Matthew Tsai already reviewed the album if you want to read about it a bit more. OK Bear is another side project, this time from Sunny Day Real Estate’s Jeremy Enigk, and here the listener is treated to more than simply a man and his guitar. While I am not quite as laudatory as Matthew was toward this album, it is quite enjoyable, and would serve listeners very well in a summer playlist. Rating: 3.25/5

Final Verdict: The Sound Supply has a unique idea, and it is well worth your consideration if you enjoy the music they are selling. In Drop 2, fans of indie rock/indie folk will find quite a bit to enjoy here, as the majority of “the drop” features laid-back side projects from former heavyweights in the alternative scene of the 90s. Sleeping at Last may be the best-known of the bunch, and its contribution is an obvious highlight. For those who like music to be a bit more on the upbeat side, The Xcerts, Polock, and TS & The Past Haunts are well-worth the $15. If you are Bill Lohr, you don’t have to listen.