For this split EP, Stavesacre broke away from the popular Tooth & Nail label to make something for the fans. In the process, they helped to further the popularity of Florida band Denison Marrs.
Stavesacre starts off the split with three brand new songs. More in the direction that they took with Speakeasy, the new songs sound relatively dry and uninspired compared with past works from the band. Stavesacre sounds like they kicked it onto auto-pilot for this split. The song "Island" does stick out, however, as a well-written song about a breakup. The music for the song is pretty catchy as well. The main thing that these new Stavesacre songs did for me was make me long for the days of Friction and Absolutes. But don't give up on the band yet, their sound is still evolving.
Denison Marrs was a band that I had heard relatively little from before this album. The sound of Denison Marrs probably fits best into the emo genre, yet it doesn't necessarily follow the same route as successful emo bands like Appleseed Cast and Pop Unknown. Denison Marrs has forged their own niche with a pop sensibility to the music but at the same time they are decidedly alternative. There is a nice touch of the atmospheric to be found here as well. "The New Droan (Light Years Away)" and "A Consequence Plan" are both on the new full-length Denison Marrs album, while "Zero Gravity" is only found on this split EP. While all three songs are quite well executed, my favorite is "A Consequence Plan", with a chorus that has gotten stuck in my head for days.
Surprisingly, with this split I found that Denison Marrs came out ahead of Stavesacre. What that bodes for the future of both of these bands remains to be seen.
Stavesacre -- 2 tocks. Denison Marrs -- 4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Michial FarmerStavesacre turns in three uncharacteristically weak and uninspired tracks for this limited-edition split EP for Velvet Blue Music. They're paint-by-numbers affairs somewhere in between the hardcore of Absolutes and the more melodic, emo-influenced Speakeasy. Unfortunately, they lack the magic of either of these two albums and feel bland and emotionless. Only "Island" breaks the surface, and even…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisStavesacre and Denison Marrs may appear to be a contrast in musical styles and instrumental exploration. Stavesacre thrives on rocking hard with the vocals of Mark Solomon, which have become a trademark over the years. Denison Marrs combines glowing emo rhythms with an alternative rock edge. Their differences on this EP are apparent, but the diversity makes this project all the more appealing,…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Eric DaamsThe split album concept is an interesting premise, on the one hand being a perfect way for new bands to break on the scene. The audience of the two (or more) bands are pooled, whilst the costs of production are cut, making a high quality recording an actual possibility. On the other hand, the whole thing could go drastically wrong. The bands need to have similar qualities. Not many Avalon fans…Similar sounding releases
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