REVIEW: THE TENSPEEDS - S/T EP

Two crucial points of discussion with this EP: 1) the corrosive effect that Mall-Emo slickness has had on the reputation of otherwise earnest statements of teen angst, or those compositions that invoke that style of expression; 2) a counterpoint in the aesthetic of a particular lo-fi recording style in practice locally or, the John Sears Sound.

1) At some point, post Sunny Day Real Estate and the Dischord Records proto-emo that preceded it, youthful introspection with aggrandized emotional catharses un-tempered by a deep pool of life-experience or expectations began to be seen as a commoditizable part of youth culture.

2) The John Sears Sound is typified by a 4-track(?) approach to recording, favoring the capture of on-tape rawness over balanced condenser mic fidelity.

1) The commoditation of this music increased the asset pool available to its practitioners; palettes were smoothed past refinement to gloss; the removal from the inspiration triggers increased; contracts were signed; string parts were composed; haircuts were fashioned; sight was lost of the fun of youth.

2) As much as the particular equipment utilized for the capture of this rawness, the John Sears Sound has, as a distinct thread running through its resume, a decision (deliberate or otherwise) to record those bands that count among their top three associations ‘fun:’ House parties; floor shows; endless turkey puns; French bistro inspired silliness.

1) The pearly-white of Mall-Emo, with its automobile-sponsored headline tours, Guitar Magazine featurettes and TRL appeal became inexorably disconnected from the untested, youthful and simple (NOT a derisive term) source of it’s inception, leading to the inevitable dismissal of such expressions (regardless of the actual age of the composers) as ‘so emo.’

2) Is it any coincidence that all of these releases were put out on CDR (if that) and contain the hallmarks of artifact self-assembly? Each is DIY beyond any questions of authenticity.

The Tenspeeds self-titled EP is one of those records whose lo-fi pop sound turns back the physical clock to the time of zines/mail-order catalogs and the mental/cardiovascular clock to the playful optimism of the first week of summer break. Considering the band is on indefinite hiatus with guitar/vocalist Brad (ex-Rosa, the band which drummer Kirke also hailed from) relocated to Bloomington, we suggest you start your summer off with this ACES recording as a substitute.

MP3: The Tenspeeds - Build it with Bricks

The Tenspeeds EP is available at Sound Exchange, or via mail-order from passionateyouththing records. Catch recorder and Tenspeeds guitarist John Sears in what is claimed to be the final performance of his latest band, Le Thargic, tonight at Notsuoh with Cop Warmth and Chief Death Rage.