the meltdown - december

The Meltdown 

December
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

Think of funky, soulful pop and you’ve got the most pleasant meltdown that you’ve ever experienced. December is the latest album from The Meltdown, which is a four-piece band from Canada. The varied musical preferences of all the members in the band are seemingly apparent when you take a listen to December. There are obvious tones of rock, which are then accentuated by soulful funk, jazz and some classic pop vibes from circa 1987 are experienced.

The opening track on the album “Look the Other Way” carries a wavering musical style as mentioned before, and as the song progresses, it is actually hard to get a bearing on the melody. The song seems to be a bit haphazard and “all over the place.” Yet there is some compelling action in the guitar riffs between the chorus and then the lyrics that bring you to poetic peace. The lyrics, “Well maybe try to look the other way…let’s fly,” are pleasant and uplifting.

The next track "I'll Not Go" is bit more slowed down and more cohesive as a musical production. The song opens gently and soothingly and soon the lyrics start to swing to and fro in a romantic and beautiful way; “here we go I’ll follow… And I know, I’ll not go, anywhere without you.” 

I really enjoyed the soaring “here we go” that opens the chorus each time; it is a welcoming opening to enter into the chorus lyrics. This song is definitely a love ballad. The following song “Untitled,” is also a love song and carries a bit more passion and has a deeper zeal than the previous song.

"In My Eyes" starts as loose template that becomes more defined as it progresses. It starts with a lone drum beat that get covered in ambient feedback, Before you know it the bass enters followed by the vocal line. 

The album closes with the technically impressive "Everything Is Not Fine". Props to the bassist for playing a bass line that is comparable to something you might hear from Flea. I was impressed that ending with such a funky song.

December represents a unique musical composition. The sound quality on the album is of professional grade. Overall, I feel as though the band needs some time to find their “true sound,” as there is no binding agent to all the songs. Yet there is great musical skill found in the lyrics and the writing of some of the tracks.