Reviews

Centro-Matic

Fort Recovery

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Review Date: 2006-06-21

"Not another of those annoying and bland alternative rock bands!" I told myself the first time I listened to Fort Recovery by Centro-Matic. In fact, I had never heard of that band; neither did I of Will Johnson or South San Gabriel before Dan sent this to me. You could blame me for that if you want.

The band formed in Denton, Texas in 1995 and they haven’t really stayed out of my mind during the last seven days as I've worked on the review. The first few listens were not very conclusive. I couldn't tell if I liked this album or not; I was kind of disapointed in the CD and didn't figure it to be anything really exciting.

Seven days later, I am currently listening to the whole thing again and you know -- good stuff. When I tell people I need a lot of time to get all the subtleties music can bring sometimes, this album is the proof of it.

The album opens with the great "Covered Up In Mines," "Calling Thermatico" and "Patience For The Ride," all of which give a general feel of the album right away. The band's influences come from everywhere, from folk and country to a more rocking sound that uses distorted guitars. If I could compare, I'd do it with The Weakerthans and Neil Young. The three opening tracks are followed by the very acoustic guitar-folk song "I See Through You" and the very light acoustic power-pop ballad "In Such Crooked Time."

Then the band comes back to where they left off and returns to their roots to rock your ears with the brilliant (it seems so easy to compose music for Johnson) "For New Starts," The Fugitives Have Won" (a very bassy song just like "Calling Thermatico") and "Monument Sails". Than Centro-Matic departs from the big distorted and crunchy guitars to end the album in a more relaxing mood. "Triggers And Trash Heaps" is actually a radio type of song, very smooth to the ears.

"Fort Recovery is an album I will listen to a few times again for sure in my life, as there's plenty of interesting goods in there. The overall thing sounds very familiar and doesn't sound so much like independent music usually sounds. I bet anyone would enjoy it if they heard it on the radio. I don't see how anyone could hate Centro-Matic.

Score: 7.75

- Alexandre Poulin