Karate - Cancel/Sing EP
(Southern)
Cancel/Sing is a two song EP totaling approximately 26 minutes (which is actually only about 5 minutes shorter than most of Karate's full lengths). Both songs, "Cancel" and "Sing", break the 10 minute mark and have so many different changes that they could have easily been divided up into a number of other songs. At the same time, all the parts within the songs flow together well enough that it all feels natural, and they don't come off sounding schizophrenic.
However, while the songs don't sound schizophrenic, at times they also don't sound very good. Unfortunately, Cancel/Sing continues the trend of the last two Karate records and the second Farina solo record by incorporating ridicules amounts of cheesy "jazzy" and "bluesy" guitar solos throughout the EP. And, even when Farina isn't playing really tedious, self-indulgent solos, quite often his guitar has a lite-jazz guitar tone.
If you can ignore the 40% of the album that is filled with Farina's God-awful solos, the other 60% of the record is great... as good or better than the first two Karate records or first few singles; the vocals are just as passionate, the songwriting is just as beautiful and powerful, and the mellower moments are nothing short of amazing. If you are more a fan of the earlier Karate releases, pick this up used or borrow it from one of your friends. (On the other hand, if you are into the later Karate releases or if you really love bad jazz/blues solos, then this is right up your alley.)
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