Here's a promising EP from Santa Barbara's Black Eyed Sceva. These four songs come off as a cross between John Mellencamp and Green Day, combining the former's acoustic-based pop with the latter's fun attitude and exuberance. Throw in a few Rush-like rhythm changes, and you've got a reasonable estimate of Sceva's sound. That their music is difficult to describe is a tribute in itself, for their sound is distinctive.
The lyrics are delightfully specific and outspoken. "Since being justified, it's just as if I'd never sinned at all," murmurs lead vocalist Jeremy Post on "Justified," the opening track. "Mudhouse," the album's catchiest tune, applies the parable of the wise man and the foolish man to a case of premarital sex. "It's not worth it, no matter what the world says." "Twain" is an angry, meter-switching warning against the humanism in Mark Twain's writings. Finally, "Handshake" is the best musical treatment I've ever heard of the challenge of showing Christ's love and truth to homosexuals, as well as how to treat HIV-infected people.
The recording quality isn't exceptional, and the vocals are slightly weak in a couple of spots. But this is still an eminently listenable tape. The music is loud and fun, the lyrics are memorable and astonishingly mature. This independent release is more than a good $5 worth for any fan of modern acoustic rock.
