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The For Carnation, "Promised Works"
This collects for the first time in ten years the band's two EPs: 1995's Fight Songs and 1996's Marshmallows. The results on this record are curious, occasionally interesting, but more often than not frustrating. Brian McMahan's second act following his turn in the massively influential Slint, The For Carnation took that band's adept usage of open space and tension and attempted to apply them to low-key acoustic arrangements.
Unfortunately, it is impossible not to draw comparisons between the two groups. Slint was and remains successful because their studied tension and release applied well to a rock band dynamic. Additionally, McMahan's vocals in that band, half way between a whisper and an off-key holler, were successful because they conveyed all the fear, doubt, and naiveté that was evident in the music. The For Carnation, on the other hand, suffers from the fact that the songs are often half-formed and uninteresting. Music this intimate requires dynamics, and despite appearances from such post-rock luminaries such as David Pajo, Doug McCombs, and John Herndon, the songs fail to go anywhere interesting. This isn’t a total dismissal.
A few bright spots emerge from the repetitive chord sequences and staid drumming. "On the Swing" is a poignant ballad with softly brushed drums and gently plucked guitar that features some of McMahan's best singing. "Salo" is pleasant enough, but at almost seven minutes long tries my patience and ultimately finds me hitting the skip button. Unfortunately, for every time the group seemed to find their footing, they lose with another rote post-rock track like "I Wear the Gold." The wisdom of reissuing records from a band that released roughly an album and a half of, at best, mediocre material is lost on me. I'm left wondering "does every 1990s indie band need a reissue?"
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