Despistado - The People Of And Their Verses

  by Benjamin Howarth

published: 5 / 5 / 2005

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Review

On their first mini album, 'The Emergency Response', Despistado demonstrated an uninhibited approach towards making angular indie rock. The songs themselves were not any better than decent, but the energy radiating from our speakers suggested a band with the potential to make excellent music. On this debut full-length album, Despistado reward their label Jade Tree’s faith with a fine collection of songs. The manic tendencies of their first release have been reigned in, the songs instead sound structured, but they still bite. The drums and bass, in particular, kick out from behind the simple dual guitar lines. Vocalist Dagan Harding is still not especially melodic but his vocals have natural rhythm and their presence provides direction for the inventive music. Stop start rhythms are very much the order of the day, as this Canadian band combine the indie-dance approach so popular on this side of the Atlantic with the gritty urbanisation of North American hardcore. Political minded lyrics provide interest on subsequent listens. This is an album that initially seems fit for only the dance floor, a high velocity but shallow effort. Yet, the pace sounds unforced and it is soon clear the songs are good enough to merit listens at home and on headphones. All in all, Despistado’s debut album proper is a fabulous little record. What a shame, then, that they won’t be around to rake in the plaudits. The band - after just one UK interview and before they had the chance to tour these isles- have decided to split up.

Track Listing:-

1 Burning House
2 The Memory Of This History
3 Victim
4 If Relationships A Construct, Then I'm A Construction Worker
5 The People Of And Their Verses
6 Plants
7 Magnetic Streetlights
8 This Neighbourhood
9 Test Tube
10 Broken
11 Why Do You Choose
12 My Definition Of A Tragedy