Sal Paradise

Item: Further
Author: Todd Brown

Further

Reviewed by Todd Brown

Apple Music

Label Tooth & Nail RecordsThe LighthouseFebruary 1997

alternative rock indie rock power pop

With Sal Paradise, Tooth & Nail Records has made its first venture beyond the shores of its native America and returned with a winner. This Australia-based foursome has delivered an 11-song dose of slacker rock that may not chart any radio hits, but deserves to.

One of my first impressions of this disc was that the artwork carried more than a passing resemblance to that of the debut of labelmates Joe Christmas. Coincidence? I think not. The bands share the same approach to their "pretty songs played ugly"-the same emphasis on melody, a similar approach to vocals, the same sloppy, distorted guitar mix. The recipe is essentially the same. Is that to say that Sal Paradise is a clone band? Not at all. Close friends and soul mates, perhaps, but I for one would never confuse a Sal Paradise tune for a Joe Christmas offering.

The lyrics (at least those given in the liners) read like a bit of a road movie, the tale of a soul moving through life. The band's greatest strength lies here, in their lyrics-in their ability to be true to the realities of the world while still recognizing the goodness of God. The strongest example of this comes with the track, "Perfect Lead:"

You... would retrieve me Bring... into healing Tied cords... of kindness to me By your... perfect lead drawn Like a child, by the hand To our home Draw me to stand beside Your figure bent With a sigh Wrapped in your wings...

In today's alternative market, dominated by bands made up of attitude and little else, it's refreshing to find bands who still believe in writing good songs while maintaining the do-it-yourself ethos. It's even more refreshing to find a band that doesn't feel the need to continuously wallow in angst. For doing something similar, Joe Christmas got my vote for best new band last year. Sal Paradise may not be quite at that level, but they're close.