To me, the wave of bands releasing albums for free or under the “name your own price model” means, at least in part, that the band wants to leave the value of the music up to the listener. Bands such as Radiohead, the most obvious band, have used this model, but so have artists like Saul Williams, Nine Inch Nails, Girl Talk and even 90s rock band Harvey Danger have done it.
Now it is Snowera’s turn. The Chicago indie rock band released a new EP, this last Friday, and while the download is free, there is an option to donate money to the band if the listener/fan feels there is any value. Snowsera are just like the other bands; they leave it up to the customer.
If the value is judged by the music though, I am not sure how much there would be. While it is no doubt a nice gesture to put the EP up for free (they have also done it for some of their music in the past), does that spirit outweigh how good or bad the music is? If this review is going to mean anything, it has to be about the music.
And to be honest, the music isn’t that gripping. On Fictions Snowsera sounds like the Maroon 5 of indie rock bands; they take what has already been done, polish and clean it up and ride a mid-tempo-to-peppy groove that will please just about everybody. The band doesn’t take many chances on the new EP, and that is both its strength and its downfall.
Of the five songs, opener “24” sets itself apart the most with a fun and semi-inventive guitar riff. Other songs like “I See” and the un-aptly titled “So Subtle” would not stick out if played one after another. After a few listens, it becomes hard to tell the difference.
The one song that really shows a direction that could lead to something more fruitful is “Darling.” Instead of a semi-peppy, middle of the road groove, the band opts for a darker, more ominous atmosphere that recalls (but does not imitate) The Cure. The polish and shine is still there, but it is good and different enough to stick out of the bunch.
I guess that makes the price the best thing about Fictions. No matter my opinion, the music is free and is available to anyone to download and decide. Not to make my job sound obsolete, but it doesn’t cost a dime and the power is in the listener’s hands. To me though, I don’t think I would put much monetary value on this music, no matter how nice the gesture.
Related Posts
