At first listen, Serene's self-titled release may seem to just be pretty music. However, repeated listens will reveal the music to be beautiful instead of just pretty, and the lyrical backdrop only contributes to this sonic art.
Ryan Beatty released most of these songs on the Beggars of the Sea album in 2000 on Lewis Hollow Records. Now, re-recorded and released on a larger label, Beatty's work is getting some exposure. Poor Old Lu member Jesse Sprinkle is also a major contributor to this album, both as a producer and a drummer. Also along to help are members of Morella's Forest and 7 Head Division.
Serene's music is admittedly influenced by Sunny Day Real Estate and Death Cab for Cutie, but heaven forbid that we slap an "emo" tag on it. Emotion is certainly something that Beatty's songs bear, but not in a whiny, depressed sort of way. The music is at times upbeat and at times slower. Mostly the guitars are restrained, though there are moments when the distortion pedals are hit and the sound gets a bit louder. The vocals of Ryan Beatty are generally used as an instrument more than a means of getting across a message. In this way, the mix reminds me a bit of Starflyer 59.
When you dig into the lyrics there's quite a bit to uncover. The whole album reads like a set of letters. All to the same girl, the topics obviously cover love and relationships, but also cast light on religion and truth. Ryan Beatty is a Christian, but he doesn't slam the listener over the head with it. The lyrics he pens are honest no matter if he mentions God or not.
From Beatty's guitar and vocals to Sprinkle's drums, this is an equal parts painful, soulful, and peaceful album. It works wonders on a slow, melancholy evening to bring the emotions full circle.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerI'm not a very emotional guy. In fact, there are those who probably feel that I lack any emotions at all. But this new disc from Serene just has me flying high. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful albums I've heard in a long time. I hesitate to use the word "pretty" because of all the connotations that brings with it, but the songs on this disc are pretty. Not in a soft rock, love ballad…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Michael LearyIt seems that one of the characteristics of our age is that a work of art doesn't have enough meaning unless it is dark and dreary. Whether in film, literature, or music, art doesn't affect us unless it shocks us through sadly immoral narratives or fatalistically depressing "slices of life". And nowhere is this notion clearer than in the independent music scene where it seems that so many artists…Opus 2001Reviewed by Jason MoreheadConsistency is a musical double-edged sword. If you lack it, you run the risk of sounding all scattered and unfocused. The result is music that claims to be adventurous, but just sounds like it has a bad case of ADD. On the other hand, too much consistency is just as bad (if not worse), because it produces music that quickly becomes formulaic and CDs that sound exactly the same from start to…Similar sounding releases
2000Pedro the LionWinners Never Quit
2002Saxon ShoreBe a Bright Blue
2003LoghThe Raging Sun
2001Hundred HandsLittle Eyes
2005Popstar AssassinsModerne
1999Pop UnknownIf Arsenic Fails, Try Algebra
