Is "post emo" a genre yet? Anyone?? I still haven't gotten the newest issue of "Obscure Genre Titles Suitable for Use in Music Reviews Monthly" in the mail yet. Well anyway, if it wasn't before, it is now. In Praise of Folly's debut release, The Present Age, has all the markings of a talented emo outfit in remission. There's still just enough emotion to merit the temporary removal of your nonprescription frames for a little handkerchief application every once in a while, but not so much that the music would ever push the red on a Tacky-ometer (which I plan on inventing one of these days).
The album's unquestionable strength and foundation is in its undeniably gorgeous guitar parts. A little reverb goes a long way, especially on tracks like "I Used to Care", "Back and Forth" and "Sometimes the Best Connection is No Connection at All". Peter Verdoes' sweeping, hazy vocals and subtle piano playing accent Matthew Dammer's guitar wizardry perfectly, as does "Benji" Verdoes' spacious and hypnotic percussion. Everything just really seems to work on this album, and the replay value is consequently pretty well infinite. The Present Age will grow on you like an unsettling rash. For fans of Mock Orange and Leave Here a Stranger-era Starflyer.
3/4
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Sarah VernoWith such a creative name as In Praise of Folly, one might imagine the CD to be along the same lines, but to my disappointment, The Present Age is 53:06 minutes of the exact same sound and tempo without a single hint of diversity. Within their sounds of atmospheric rock lie philosophical lyrics discussing mainly the role of passion--a passion deeper than the sensual, materialistic and selfish…Similar sounding releases
2001Ran Away To SeaI Won't Tell A Soul Except The World
2002Saxon ShoreBe a Bright Blue
2003The FormsIcarus
2001diluteGrape Blueprints Pour Spinach Olive Grape
2002ethan durelleCapgun Sessions Demo
2003Live in JapanWhen I Was a Liar
