Slow January Records
Heroic Lane Change / The New Lows (7" Record)
 The actual title of this split 7" is Playing Around With Music Volume I from Slow January Records which happens to be based in my neck of the woods. I love getting vinyl, and this was on of those cool see through clear records.
Heroic Lane Change is the first band up on tap, and as a lifelong denizen of traffic-ridden City of Angels I can tell you that I know exactly what they mean by that. Driving on the freeways here, you'll have to make the occasional heroic lane change in order to exit on the correct offramp. You almost close your eyes and go for it. But anyway, as far as the music goes, I rather like the pop-punk that Tyson Deines and friends (Christopher Sapone, Travis Adams, Matt Bloodwell) bring to the table.
Interesingly, the first thing I thought of when I heard Tyson's voice is how he reminded me of the late John Vigliatura from For Squirrels. Heroic Lane Change also has that same semi-seething energy and frenetic tempo changes that came through in the music. This is especially apparent on the first track, "Syndication". Also, though I've never heard of them before they have apparently made an impact on their native Orlando indie music scene. The second track, "Sick Of You" reminds me of old school Posies in construction but less sugary, more like Superchunk (who they've played with before). Quite good stuff.
The trio known as The New Lows present an entirely different tempo, at least on their first song "Keep It Simple" which simmers along with low, slightly grinding guitars and a bit of drone. I thought this was going to be a quieter song until the chorus kicked in. What started out as Pedro the Lion became a sort of Creeper Lagoon track.
I must say that I'm in a namedroppin' mood because singer Mike Levin reminds me exactly of Mike Kinsella from Joan of Arc. I mean nearly exactly. In a good way though; I guess I just listened to Joan of Arc the other day which is the reason I keep hearing it. I didn't like their second song "The Thrill" as much as the first, but it seems like they've got quite a bit of promise. The band is made up of Mike, Tyler Gray, and Taro Baugham and is based in New York. I read that they also have a track out on a Deep Elm comp so maybe I'll encounter them again soon.
- review by SHORTY (5.19.05)
Slow January
2658 Griffith Park Blvd. #740
Los Angeles, CA 90039-2250
www.heroiclanechange.com
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