1921 - trial and error

1921

Trial and Error
self-released; 2013

3.6 out of 5 

By Jamie Funk

Adrian Lavinge and Evan Downey make up the newly formed 1921 and when I say newly I don't even know how they had anytime to record. They just formed this last February. 1921 makes very sparse acoustic music. that contains occasional bursts of energy. The first two songs are similar as they have both are quite melancholy and both have a folky feel. There are actually drums on the second song entitled "reel them in" but they are played so lightly I barely noticed. It was a bit remenicisnt of Bonne "Prince" Billy's masterpiece "I see a darkness" in that there was a slow bpm and that the players seemed to be barely touching there instruments. Not neccessarily a bad thing.

The third song "Going Home" was a bit of a departure as it felt really different then the first two songs. I didn't mind the change in pace but I was just listening to decent folk and was kinda digging the solace I was finding in the music.The song starts energetically with a fast beat and fuzzed out guitars and a couple of delay pedals. Perhaps the oddest thing was that the song completely changes in the middle. I really enjoyed the second half and while the recording was lo-fi I loved his voice on the song. It sounded honest, heartfelt and sung with some emotion. This part in particular was my favorite part of the EP so far. The closer "Trial" was another somber number that introduces some strings that added some good accompinment to the guita and vocals. These guys have a little bit of work ahead of them but they are off to a good start. Having formed only a couple of months I was impressed they were able to put out a solid debut so fast.

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