Coffin Joe
..Here's something for your neurosis....
I didn't know the name Across Tundras before the album happened to land in my lap. The 4 track EP clocks in at 30 minutes, and just looking at the cover, should give you a good idea, what Across Tundras sounds like - words like loneliness, haunting, desolation springs to mind...in short, the whole post rock package. Although you should never judge a book by its cover, this time 'round, it's pretty much what you get. Instead of writing the review, I could just make a check list: 1) Slow, noisy guitars - Check! 2) Scott Kelly vocals - Check! 3) Mashed up drum sound - Check 4) Tracks clocking in at 5 min. or more - Check! 5) Distorted production sound - Check! 6) Neurosis guitar riffs - Check! 7) An acoustic track - Check! 8) Every track screams loneliness, desolation & haunting - Check! 9) A cover that says loneliness, desolation & haunting - Check! 10) Some sampling of sounds playing backwards - Check!
Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad album, but it's one that is highly unoriginal. The musicians is obviously talented, but the Neurosis influence is just too heavy for my taste. I would rather hear them compose something a bit more original. If I ever get tired of Neurosis, I could see me pull this out on a rainy day.