Beans
Tired Snow EP
[Zum]
Rating: 5.8
These days, it seems like people are afraid of using technique to their advantage,
fearing the ridicule of being considered insufferable musical wankers. This comes
into focus with a band like Beans. Stylistically, their music lies closer to modal
minimalism than post-rock, but both styles are notably present.
Beans are definitely trying to create a feeling of wistful memory-- perhaps the
afternoon someone died or the last time you they saw their former lovers. But
ultimately, they fail to affect in the way they intend. Controlled dissonance
abounds on the ethereal "Miko," yet nothing more than softly strummed guitar,
atmospheric piano, and bass enters the mix. And the title track, rather than
the startling display of originality it longs to be, is essentially early Tortoise
boiled down to its most essential ingredients, sans vibes and sound layering.
I mean, I understand that everything's supposed to sound like it's falling apart
in "All-Encompassing Dust," but glaring musical mistakes distract me from falling
apart with it.
Another strike against them: their music is loose and seemingly unpracticed.
They're clearly not purposely playing discordant notes and fumbling their equipment
to create an ambience of depression or personal deconstruction; they just attempt
music that goes beyond their technical abilities. Tired Snow's sparse
production doesn't help matters. In fact, it's counteractive-- it puts the
instrumentation directly under the lens of judgment, making the band seem like
ants running from the burning spot.
But the potential of these compositions saves Tired Snow from its undeniable
amateurism. With a bit more rehearsal and more active production, Beans could
display more ingenuity than incompetence, and create some genuinely powerful music.
They're on the right track when they take measures to assure they don't overextend
themselves-- "Dark Cave at Creek" tells a simple love story with a brief but
beautiful poignancy-- but they could stand to do it more often. For instance,
"Alpaca Llama" is a 16-minute performance piece recorded live with no overdubs
(as indicated by the spoken intro and muddled crowd noise). On this track, the
ambition is definitely present but never sees fulfillment. And by placing it at
the end of a 38 minute-long EP, the band leaves the listener with an unpleasant
feeling of anticlimax and drowsy disinterest.
Time could change this band for the better. All it would take is some restraint
and gained technical proficiency, things that tend to come more naturally as bands
progress. In the meantime, there are thousands of more satisfying records to spend
money on.
-Craig Griffith