Zach Dyer - Temporary EP

Zach Dyer

Temporary
self-released; 2014

3.0 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Zach Dyer is the perfect example of a musician who has decent ideas but doesn’t know how to implement them yet. His first attempt at making music comes in the form of a four-song EP entitled Temporary. The production and recording quality leaves more than a couple of things to be desired. He recorded, mixed and mastered the album himself, which I always appreciate but in this case he is going to want to either get some skills as an engineer or befriend one if he wants people to notice his music. 

The other thing is the songs are off time but not in a good way like US Maple. He tries to land a groove but half the time it’s nowhere near close syncing to a metronome. The songs are sloppy punk based tunes, which showcase some potential but Dyer has a long way to go before competing with experienced acts. 

Dyer songs revolve around little more than guitar, bass and drums. He thrashes away at power chords and spits punk-inspired lyrics that can hardly be felt because of the bad production. The first track “Figurines” sound like a skeleton of a song and for some reason he panned his guitar hard right when it’s the only one in the song. There is no energy within the song and that is the main issue. The guitar sounds thin and weak and when the vapid snare hits it doesn’t bring any kind of visceral reaction. 

The only minor success is the last track “Pulse,” which sounds like it has no pulse. Dyer omits the bass and drums. He sticks to lone guitar and dreary voice, which sound as if they are about to keel over and die.

Hopefully, Dyer can take some of this advice and apply it to his next recording. I would strongly suggest he work with a producer or engineer on his next effort.

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