The 3" series from Absalom Recordings has one of its best finds in The Czars. This Denver band is the latest release from the "acoustic stream" of the 3" series (along with discs from Songs: Ohia, Howie Gelb, The Baptist Generals, Johnny Dowd, and Calexico).
Originally recorded as the soundtrack to a small independent film, this disc barely whets your appetite and will have you looking for their full-length projects.
Springing from the same fertile soil as 16 Horsepower, the Denver Gentleman, and Slim Cessna's Auto Club, the Czars offer a pleasant mix of John William Grant's smooth and unique vocals, along with lush instrumentation.
The opening track, "Interlude" is an instrumental piece featuring flowing guitars and melancholy piano, and an understated rhythm section.
"Drug" follows with a minimalist approach of Grant's mellow vocals over acoustic guitar.
You are a drug to me
I never ever thought it otherwise
This is not jeopardy, and it's not your high school prom
And you know that I will miss you when you're gone
But I'm not equipped to be your mom.
The third song on the disc, "Accident" is a dissonant combination of brass and strings that brings to mind the music of the Denver Gentleman and 16 Horsepower.
The EP ends up with "Lullaby 6000," which actually does have the peaceful sound and lyrics of a lullaby.
So be quiet, don't make a sound
Do not blink now, don't look down
The only thing keeping this from being a Five Tock review is the length of the disc. A few more songs, and it would be a perfect hit. After one listen you may just want to check out the band's full-length releases, which are available on Simon Raymonde's (Cocteau Twins) Bella Union label.
This disc alone is reason enough to subscribe to Absalom recordings' 3" series, but the other discs in the "Acoustic Stream" are sure to offer some other gems as well.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Thomas V. BonaThe moody music of The Czars takes a (mostly) unplugged turn in Music From the Film 'I'd Rather Be ... Gone', a four-song offering that is the second release in Absalom Recordings' 2001 Acoustic 3 Inch Series. Like so many good acoustic recordings, the music here is as complex and lush as good electric albums. The Czars, a Denver band that has been around in some form since 1994, have built their…More from The Czars
2002X Would Rather Listen to Y Than Suffer Through a Whole C of Z's
2001The Ugly People Vs The Beautiful People
