Tragedy Ann

Item: Lesser
Author: Chris Well

Lesser

(1997)

Reviewed by Chris Well

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Organic Records7ball #17March/April 1998

alternative rock hard rock post-grunge

The first track of Lesser says it all. From the opening waves of feedback and the chunka-chunka of hard rock guitars to the impatient lyrics (which tell the listener, Without Jesus, you just don't get it), you figure out very quickly Tragedy Ann is here to rock, and rock for Jesus. With a pedigree that includes Seattle hard rock band Sometime Sunday, though, that means the sonic and evangelical wallop of Lesser is a veritable force of nature. It's also clear that Lesser, as the title suggests, is about humility. From the junkyard album art to the tales of woe outside of Christ to the satirical jabs at Christian bands who try to hide their Christianity, everything on Lesser is focused on the truth of this fallen world--we are weak, but He is strong. The protagonist of "Siren 2" helplessly laments the pain of a friend, yet promises hope (Don't look to me/ I can't help you/ I can only watch Him work inside of you); "Little One" rejoices in the faith of a small child (She's only three but she knows You so different from me/ I want to live like this child Lord); "Waste," wrapped in metal and even a bit of groove, is an anthem that reaches out to the lost with complete empathy. Songs like "King" and "Is It Okay" are directed at Christians--the former to those who might think Tragedy Ann are "too" Christian, the second to those who might judge Tragedy Ann as not Christian enough. "I Know" takes the music down a notch (well, intermittently) and is as pointed an altar call as they come (All that I desire is to see that you find truth/ And that you know that He is always there for you). That, plus the example set in "Seek" (It's You that I need/ I will only suffer/ When I lead), make the Gospel message plain enough for the most difficult listener. What's refreshing is Tragedy Ann rocks with an abandon that's seemed lost in the music scene. Drummer Bob Sable and bassist Dave Bosley create a sturdy platform for the wailing and gnashing guitars of Erik Whittington and Mikee Bridges. However, while there are occasional flourishes from the guitar section, for the most part this is working man's rock 'n' roll. Bridges' almost atonal vocals make him an everyman, bringing the realistic emotions to the front of every song. No pretty glamour boys here. No flowery lyrics. Just the meat and potatoes. Lesser is the statement of a band who wants their message to be so simple it can be understood at any decibel level. For some, the simple sweat-and-noise-and-Gospel will make Tragedy Ann seem unworthy of their notice. Somehow, I don't think the members of Tragedy Ann care whether you like them or not. They're here to rock, and rock for Jesus. Sometimes that's all that matters.