Customer Reviews

Chronicles

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the Top 10 rock albums of the 1990s, it features unique tracks like the indelible "Holiday," which should be used as the themesong of a great post-modern film romance. And check out the EP, "New History," for the forthcoming album for 2000, "White Out." Play "New History" twice and you'll never get it out of your head-it's potent.

I saw Jason & Alison (founding members of Verbow) open for Bob Mould in 1995 and they were a ferocious duo. I was very pleased with their full band thang when I bought Chronicles and Bob did them up right with his production style. "Fan Club" rocks and is funny, too. "Down the Gun" is a firey cd closer. And I like "lethargy's Crown".

Verbow (formerly Jason & Allison) have a tight collection of garage rock nicely seperated from any peers by the cello. Jason often writes songs about disillusionment, wrecked relationships, and fallen heroes. No better producer than Bob Mould for these razor sharp noises and lyrics. Where are they now? It's been 2+ years since the release of this record. Help....

It's not often that a band this talented comes down the pike. Not only are the songs exctitng and provocative, Jason Narducy's voice really grabs the listener. Produced by Bob Mould, the album certainly shows his influence. One can also hear a wide range of influences including the Beatles, the Police, Off broadway, Cheap Trick and the Who. That's on the rock side. The other side, the classical artisits are also represented as a key part of the band's music is the cello playing of Alison Chesley. The use of the cello with the rock guitar is riveting on some of the songs -- "Sugarcone" and "Down the Gun" for example. The band has a unique challenge to an audience --try to label the band. It can play hard rock like " Fan Club" and " Chronicles of Agent Kidd" and then it can turn right around and play simple elegant ballads like " Slumbering Blue" or " Distance Between Us". But no matter what you label the band, this album shows the range of a very talented group of musicians starting out on the road to success.

Verbow is a band that is based out of the Chicago area with a sound that is highly reminiscent of bands like Husker Du and the Replacements, along with cello accompaniment which gives the slower songs a very melancholy, austere feel which definitely gives them a distinct sound when compared to their peers and influences.

Jason Narducy is a very crafty songwriter, as evidenced by the nuanced "Lethargy's Crown", "The Chronicles Of Agent Kidd", a story song set to a relatively brisk pace, and "Fan Club" which should have become a smash on alternative radio, with its lyrics coming from the perspective of an obsessed rock fan. Bob Mould was credited with recording this album, and fortunately the songs are not overproduced - the overall sound is not as glossy as most radio rock and the mixing doesn't drown out any of the instrumentation.

In summary: An auspicious debut from a band that should have found success. Sure, their record label was supportive enough to release a follow-up (which I still have to check out) but Verbow should definitely have attained a higher degree of popularity. Check this out if you can find a copy - it's '80s alternative rock combined with a '90s indie mentality.