Movies with Heroes In Clover

Item: Split EP
Author: Tom Bastian

Split EP

(2002)

Reviewed by Tom Bastian

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Theory 8 RecordsDecapolisOctober 2002

emo indie rock

This release is a split EP between Lancaster PA based band Movies with Heroes (formerly Mack, the Coffeeman) and Maryland based In Clover (formerly The Reflecting Light). This split EP was released by rookie label Theory 8 Records, which is based in Nashville, TN.

I'm generally not a fan of the EP, especially split EP's. Generally an EP is used as either a contract filler by indie bands that are unhappy with the label they are on, because the band only has a few songs ready and are eager to get their music out, or money is an issue. Then on the other side of things in the world of major labels you barely ever see EP releases. With Split EP's they are generally released to give a smaller band recognition by being on an album with a "bigger" band or by a label as a way to give the listeners a sample of some of their new bands. But this release doesn't really fall into any of those categories. This EP actually doesn't disappoint me and I'm actually happy to see it be released, especially on Theory 8 Records. A label that's just getting its start, and that seems to be heading in the right direction.

Movies with Heroes starts off the split with 4 of their most rocking and poppiest songs ever. I always find it hard to review my friends' music. But with Movies with Heroes it's generally not too stressful because they always seem to impress me. Having been following the band for years the lyrics really stood out to me. This band has had I guess what most would consider a rocky road as far as the business side of the music scene goes. In other words they never seem to get the breaks that bands with half their talent and creativity get. On the verge of releasing a promising EP the band was basically dropped from indie label Burnt Toast Vinyl when the label was trimming down their roster leaving the band out in the cold with a new EP to release on their own. The band finally did go on to release that EP on their own.

Having been around for longer than probably most of the bands that are currently getting all the attention in the indie rock scene right now the band should be at a much higher level than they are. Vocalist and lyricist Keith Wilson seems to be just about at the end of the rope as far as putting up with the whole music thing. On the first track "Someday" Wilson sings "Another evening finds me staring out the window. I wonder how long I can hold on to tomorrow. I've waited fifteen years, so what is just one more? ...Nobody wants to take a chance on what I know is a sure thing. I don't have big demands...I want to write the songs that make the whole world move. The second track "Warmer" also seems to address a similar issue "Let them say what they will. I will wrestle with mine...Am I getting any warmer? This is all I've got left. It's more than I can lose. I don't think I can rest till there's nothing more to use...when have I paid my dues?" I won't attempt to figure out the meaning behind the third track "Boy Scout Secrets", but the focus seems to move back to the band's struggles with the roller coaster ride known as the music business on the band's last track "The Last Shall Be First" with lyrics such as "We've been busting up rocks and getting cold-cocked by the best and the worst....We've been spinning our tires and crossing our wires in the burnt out bars. Where we burned like stars. What is this, what is this? Entertainment?...If you thought we'd give up by now...oh no." Usually I don't focus this much on the lyrical content of an album. But in this case I think it's important. Movies with Heroes is a band that deserves our attention. With these four songs the band is heading in a somewhat new direction, while churning out what I consider the best songs of their career. I have always felt their more upbeat material was their best, all 4 songs on this release are upbeat and musically back the lyrics passionately sung from a young man that just wants his music to be heard and enjoyed.

The second half of the EP is four songs by the three-piece rock band currently known as In Clover. I'm going to get this out of the way up front and say that the recording quality on their 4 songs does not do the band any justice. Luckily the band's songs are good enough to still shine through to show the listener that In Clover is a band to look out for. Having seen the band play live quite a few times in the last month I'm truly excited to see how they grow. I generally don't get too excited about new bands, especially those that would fall into the whole "Sunny Day Real Estate emo/indie rock sound", just due to the fact that there are so many of them out there right now. So although In Clover may be put into that category they still have this appeal to them that will draw you in. With well-written and moving bass lines, creative guitar parts and intricate drumming the band's songs progress and develop brilliantly. But the shining aspect of their sound is the vocals. Lead vocalist Justin Kline has an amazing voice and the backing vocals by Dan Wax only help to bring the vocal sound even more to the front. Luckily for In Clover the songs are good enough that the listener should still be able to get a handle on just how talented this band is. Give the songs on this EP a listen, but do yourself an even bigger favor and try to catch these guys live whenever you can. They put a smile on my face every time I see them. Also someone please sign these guys and give them a nice recording budget so they can bring their live sound to us on compact disc.

Grade - B
Grade - B-

Grade: B