Consider the Source
The Impressionist EP (2006)
Brian Shultz
Consider the Source have some of the weakest, most clichéd non-sensical song titles around, and the front/back artwork is half-assed to the max. It's a good thing I do actually give every stupid promo that comes in the mail a chance though, because otherwise I'd miss out on some solid tunes on their Impressionist EP, which, surprisingly, does impress.
The Impressionist comes off vaguely like a hybrid of Sirens-era On the Might of Princes and whenever At the Drive-In was most noodly, but with an element of entirely too prevalent nü-screamo. Yeah, you're allowed to scream in songs, but it should come off a little less forced than how Consider the Source employ theirs -- just a little. Otherwise, it's clear these dudes are fascinated by both `90s post-hardcore acts and progressive, atmospheric rock riffs, and they blend them pretty well over the course of six songs. The band's vocal work is never quite flooring, but their instrumental work is always far-reaching and never repetitive, keeping the songs from following simple verse/chorus structure. "Brian Wilson…" (seriously, not even spelling out this entire one) spills forth with ridiculous time changes and busy drum fills, and makes for a splendid centerpiece.
Fitting in well with the raw beginnings of a band like Trophy Scars, Consider the Source have laid down a solid foundation from which to build themselves on. For a first release, The Impressionist does precisely what its title implies, and the talented, creative rock tunes lying within should pre-curse something greater.