Transient Songs
Cave Syndrome
Indian
Casino Records 2010
An immediate
reference to the laid back and thoughtful style of The Church can be
heard on Cave Syndrome's opening track, In This Darkness Light Seeps
Through. The sweet, whimsical notes that float to the surface
also call to mind Belly at their most soulful moments. And so
begins the journey that Transient Song take us along during the 10
tracks of their debut album Cave Syndrome. Heavy in self
reflection and calm moments that give the listener room to breath and
relax. A warbling western feel slowly shifts like desert sands on
Smoking Slows the Healing as acoustic guitars and John's airy vocals
paint a stark, dry night under the stars. A feeling of the sorrow
and joy of homecoming after a long hard road is created by the piano on
the opening passage of Greenwood Backyards before the second half
developes in to more The Church leanings. Wide Open Skies with
its echoing vocals and stumbling pacing creates a barren soundscape
that drifts like white cloudy puffs on the horizon. Astoria is
almost scary with its deep vocal tracts and disturbing shimmering
guitars, like being in an underwater desert, gurgling tumblweeds
ambling by with the current. The title track brings the journey
to a close with moments of lighthearted-joy, a somewhat old school feel
to it that brings a sort of a mix of 90s alternative with an
undercurrent of CCR. If you love the expansive alternative sounds
of The Church then Transient Songs will nestle into a warm spot in your
heart. Though somewhat more diverse, Transient Songs delivers
easy yet emotional songs that drift into a mellow dreaminess.