Simply Waiting

Item: The Subtle Dynamics Between the Windshield and the Rearview
Author: Justin Brinker

The Subtle Dynamics Between the Windshield and the Rearview

(2004)

Reviewed by Justin Brinker

Discogs Bandcamp

Label independentDecapolisNovember 2004

alternative rock emo indie rock

It is not often that bands put out albums whose length is beyond forty-five or fifty minutes, especially new bands. Simply Waiting is the exception. Not only is it a lengthy album that clocks in at over 70 minutes but it also bears a lengthy title The Subtle Dynamics Between the Windshield and the Rearview.

Simply Waiting is a bass driven melodic rock act with a fascination for long songs and acoustic guitars. Unfortunately it is the fascination with long songs that kills this record. Simply Waiting has a good foundation for the most part but it gets watered down in the verse chorus verse chorus repetition. There are times on this record where length does not kill it but the repetition does.

This five-piece also has another fascination: mid tempo songs. I think every song on this album is at mid tempo, no ballads, no fast rock songs. They do add some variation from the acoustic driven formula to throw in some electric guitar parts on songs like "Paper in Hand" and "Casualty" but still maintain the same tempo. Another shortcoming to this record is the vocals. It is not that Matt Shetler cannot sing, he can do so very well, but throughout most of the album it seems like he is having to sing-shout over the instruments and he still gets lost in the shuffle. Shetler is at his peak in "Went with the Count" where it complements his vocal range and he sounds confident and strong but for the most part the vocals are largely ignored.

I am all for longer albums when they are done right. Simply Waiting has a decent foundation. It sounds like something is holding the band back and it leaves the listener with an apathetic feel. Maybe it is the repetition of the songs or the studio itself either way let's hope Simply Waiting figures it out.

2/4