Band: so long forgotten
Title: Baptism
Label: N/A
Release Date: November 15, 2008
Review By: Scott L
Tracklisting:
01. The Lion And The Fox
02. Where There Is Ruin, There Is Hope For A Treasure
03. The Wind Ran Out Of Breath
04. Of Brilliance And Baptism
05. Taupe Olive Gold
Some music is immediately appealing. You know from the moment it starts that you’re sold. Some music has the ability to pull you right out of your comfort zone and challenge the way you think about music in general. so long forgotten, a 5 -piece out of Illinois, is kind of a happy medium. There’s a whole lot to like right off the bat about their 5-song EP “Baptism”. And then there’s an element of realization that comes later. A light bulb moment where it dawns on you that this music just continues to grow on you.
Rest assured that so long forgotten are first and foremost passionate music makers. Their soundscape broad and expansive. At once, both intimidating and inviting. This is true indie rock with an experimental edge and an ethereal flare. You could call this a view from the edge… what indie rock could look like if bands were willing to take more chances.
Sometimes somber. Sometimes raw. Sometimes almost blues-ish in a way. Always honest. Always expressive. Someone once told me that part of the reason he was burnt on the current music scene was that it seemed to him like “every little kid is ditching the farm to move to the city and start a crappy pop-punk band…”. And there’s a lot of truth to that. But believe me, this is not that. Not by a long shot. It’s obvious that this music really means something to these guys.
Style-wise, think of it like this… if Paper Rival and Pelican joined forces and decided to rough things up a bit and put out an indie rock album with vocals done by a guy that was a cross between Adam Watts and Jeremy Enigk… it would sound something like so long forgotten. The music is diverse and well-imagined. Production has some rough spots here and there, but nothing that’s overly noticeable.
The music sets the tone and the lyrics drive it home. Don’t expect these guys to pull any punches. Check out “Of Brilliance and Baptism” as an example, “If ever I knew a god, he was better than the one I’ve got / If ever I knew a beggar, he was better than the richest lot / And if ever I knew my father… my father, he raised me better / Brace this place with praises / cause God I need your graces / O’ my God, I need your graces.” Or how about “The Lion and the Fox” which a beautifully crafted metaphor, “But the trees, but the trees / they are bending at the knees / And the beasts, and the beasts / they just feast and feast and feast / But I need, but I need / I need to be released / This can’t be, this can’t be / your great vision of peace / And I can sip from your streams / I can sit beneath your trees / But I will be alone… / when I find shelter I am home.”
The standout track was “Where There Is Ruin, There Is Hope For A Treasure” which flow beautifully along slowly building until finally boiling over. “The Wind Ran Out Of Breath” was a close second.
Overall: A good solid release. And certainly an effort that has me looking forward to so long forgotten’s upcoming release on Come & Live! records. More on that in the near future. But for now, if you’re a fan of creative indie-rock with a powerful message, check these guys out.
www.myspace.com/solongforgotten