Damn, it amazes me how strong first releases of many up-and-coming bands can be sometimes. Boston-based Tristan da Cunha's debut eponymous LP is yet another example of three youngsters writing fresh music that manages to hit you where it hurts, which is in the fucking groin. And it's relentless. Throughout its eight tracks, the trio treks through truckloads of triangular tunes that track the territorial tenants of its ilk. But this tracking doesn't necessarily imply never crossing paths. Truthfully, there's little legroom for originality, considering nearly every song criss-crosses paths with the likes of Les Savy Fav ("Song Number Three"), Dismemberment Plan ("Re: Maeve (Everybody Knows)"), Sweep the Leg Johnny ("Jesus Marches with a Little Spider"), Faraquet ("Post-Adolescent Philosophy"), etc. But what sets Tristan apart from the more well-known angular math rock bands is that they make each minute count, leaving little treats every couple minutes for sticking with them-- and it makes it all worthwhile. Periodically, they'll do something that seems completely out of sync but, in retrospect, makes perfect sense. Album highlight "Too Many Boats" is a prime example. Don't know what I'm talking about, do you? Well, listen for yourself. If this album was on one of the double D's (Dischord, DeSoto), indie rockers everywhere would be eating this shit up. However, with the few bands I've heard so far from the label Losing Blueprint, I say fuck the D.C. scene and make room for more alternative voices! Let's march!
1. Jesus Marches with a Little Spider
2. Re: Maeve (Everybody Knows)
3. Song Number Three
4. Little White Sneakers
5. Too Many Boats
6. Post-Adolescent Philosophy
7. Narcosynthesis
8. World Without End
More about: Tristan da Cunha
