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Rope, "Fever"

Family Vineyard
'Imagination of Rhythm' and 'Unknown Source of Egoism' are not exactlyfavorable track titles for a band's debut release. And given what themembers of Rope have been through, it almost seems like high time foranother slap in the face to go with their hardships. "Fever" wasrecorded in 2000 in the band's native Poland, after which they sold alltheir belongings and moved to America. Land of opportunity or not,America may not be quite ready for Rope. Slow to build, almostcacaphonous in places, and even a little bit irritating, their music isthat of an unskilled child: unsure, monotonous, repetitive and amateur.It's not altogether unpleasing, though. As first recordings go, "Fever"is pretty good. You can definitely hear the influences on their music,and you can tell that they're searching for that sound of their own.It's all pretty eerie, as each track jars and thumps, but soars withsharp sounds, escalating towards God knows what. 'Liquid Courage' isactually the most complete track, and the most calm for the first 3minutes or so. Then it descends into the same noise that mars the othertracks. Fortunately, there is room for improvement. Since Chris Drazekand Robert Iwanik are now living in Chicago, they'll have plenty tohear that will affect their pallette. I predict the next Rope recordwill sound nothing like this. And I look forward to hearing it. Thisone was just a bit too much for me.

 

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