Reviews
Geronimo
Enlightenment in a Small Town
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Add to del.ico.us.Review Date: 2007-07-26
GEEERRRRONIIMOOOOOOO is what you yell as you jump from a plane thousands of miles above ground level, hoping that you don’t break yourself on landing. The name is fitting for this 4 piece who deliver six adrenaline rushed tunes on Enlightenment in a Small Town.
Track 1 being the title track of the album begins with a psychedelic apex that is then taken over by an agile guitar riff accompanied by light symbol hits. The song progresses as the kick drum braids in and pounds out a forceful tempo followed by the furious lyrics “You’re a fucking asshole. A big kid with a little soul, everybody knows someone like you. I’ve taken the poll…Vacancy, like the motels at the side of the road in every small town. This side of hell.” This song clobbers out the idea of dealing with all the ignorant people that make up half of the worlds population. Consequently I’m sure we have all experienced this infuriating behavior and can relate to this provoked feeling.
Just Like Water is a lively tune with lyrics that question religion and any kind of allegiance for that matter. The vocal melody is poppy and is the track on the album to get stuck in your head, especially the part where he sings, “You’re just like water, so much thicker. Little brother, so much bigger. Father daughter, so much unsaid….It’s in your circle. Fuck your circle”
Track 3 titled Interlude is the perfect description of what this song is; an instrumental passage or piece of music rendered between the parts of a song. It begins & ends with a funky bass driven beat, but the jubilant interlude itself is what distinguishes this song. It’s almost completely instrumental except for the verse “My time suffers when you return”. This idea of someone coming back into your life and taking up the majority of your time is brutally honest and truly self descriptive of the artists feelings, the music in contrast feels liberated and free from all constraints.
Progressive Revolution is the noteworthy track on the album, not the only one but my personal favorite. There is nothing finer than a thick hearty bass line mixed with impeccably timed drums topped with engaging vocals. This song delivers just that; Progressive Revolution = good vibrations.
Hope and Fear is a concise and intimate love tune. The three minute song is filled with warm emotions and heart felt music that is most comforting. (As I click to play it again) This swell song is definitely radio friendly and, I wouldn’t mind hearing it the umpteen times that the stations would play it as they are all to well known for doing.
Track 6 –I vs. Me is a brilliant song to end the album with. It’s heavy and has tremendous energy that you never want to end. The lyrics are critically thought provoking and sung with such contempt, reminiscent of at the drive in days.
Enlightenment in a Small Town is a most excellent record. I recommend it for any punk and post hardcore appreciator alike to add to their collection. I caught these gents at NXNE this year and although it may be hard to imagine considering the amount of energy I hope to have portrayed that their live show even surpasses. The remnants of Despitado have not let me down and I am already eager to hear their 2008 full length. These Saskatchewan boys know how to rock and have unquestionably made it into my top albums of the year.
Score: 8.8
- Alicia Freeborn