Snowsera - Snowsera EP
Record Label: None
Release Date: December 8, 2007
While dropping off my younger cousin at his house recently, he remarked that the music I had playing in my car was depressing. I don’t think the acoustic melodies I had been spinning sounded depressing, but I do agree there wasn’t much upbeat pop to them. If he heard me listening to Snowsera’s self-titled EP the next time he stepped into my car, he’d probably peg me as bipolar. Snowsera are a four piece band out of Chicago, IL, and it’s difficult for me to imagine someone listening to their self-titled EP in a dark room during a bout of depression. The bright pink and yellow colors on the cover of the EP are suggestive of the spirited pop punk found within. The steady buildup of drums and springy guitar introduce “Twenty Four,” the tone setting starter track. Lead vocalist Bill Arteaga sings with a high pitched, somewhat distorted voice that I could see as a turnoff to some and a welcome change to others. The lyrics of “Twenty Four” reflect our society’s ease in accepting the messages spewed by our television sets, a theme touched upon in songs such as Saves the Day’s “Cars & Calories” and The Rx Bandits’ “Analog Boy.” Arteaga sings as one entranced as he’s lulled by the shining screen:
"Twenty-four, twenty-four hours a day
Find your mind on a story, you don't dare to say,
'Is it truth, or is it fiction?'
We all blindly share this addiction"
“Break This Beat” is another critical piece as Snowsera turn on their detractors with the challenging lyrics, “You sing it way better than me / So sing it, you sing it / You write it way better than me / You write it, just write it.” I can’t say who or what prompted this cynical response, but hearing the band with its claws out is one of the finer points of the EP. And here’s a nice surprise – most songs feature a light guitar solo. They don’t make a huge impact, but they do add to the overall catchiness of the songs.
One criticism I have concerning this release is the songs seem to run together a bit much. Though the topic may change from a lonely late night to the latest fashion trend, the sounds of each song sometime lacks distinction. Also, at an average length of just over four minutes, the songs could stand to be cut down (shorter and sweeter) to avoid unnecessary repetition.
According to Snowsera’s myspace page, the band takes “great pride in the fact that [they] are responsible for everything that you see and hear.” Not only did they write the music, they recorded and produced the EP themselves. Hell, they even designed the artwork. Snowsera are truly their own bosses, and from what I hear, their hometown fanbase wouldn’t mind sharing them with the rest of the world.
not so crazy about the band, just not really the kind of music i'd listen to for a long period of time or share with a friend.... but they're obviously enjoying themselves and thats all that matters, right?
Thats so odd. I remember listening to the first time winter 06 when they had like 100 fans at most. Theyve really been top notch since the start, and getting better.
They're a notably good fast-paced progressive band from Arkansas I believe. I'd call them a combination of The Mars Volta, Boys Night Out, and The Fall of Troy with an Anthony Green type of voice heading the attack.
Sounds more brit-popish, I agree with the guy who said JET and the Hives.
Not really into it.
Jet, the Australia rock band? And the Hives?
Hm. Granted, I'm judging these bands by their singles, but I'm not really hearing it. Perhaps somewhat in the instrumentation and effects, but the vocals are what I had in mind when listing of the 'Recommended if You Like' bands. Would you two care to expand on the comparisons a bit? Anyone else have an opinion on this?
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