The Switch - s/t EP
(self-released)
When I saw the debut EP by The Switch, I was overcome
by a complete sense of confusion.
You see, it included no press material, no label that I can link the band to (in helping to understand their sound), the CD itself had no song titles, and no other information other than a pink cardstock insert with the band member's first names and a picture of a hawk. On the back of the Spartan packaging, handwritten in Sharpie marker, was "101/200", so I guess it's limited. Listening to its three songs, I was a bit less confounded by its mystery.
The Switch play synth-pop with some emo flourishes, and, while it might be some people's cup of tea, it really isn't mine. The recording is shoddy, and the songs get old really quickly. What makes good synth music really good is its refusal to stay in one place too long. Albums might have a similar vibe, but the songs themselves usually traverse a whole spectrum of moods. The Switch don't do this. They're content to remain in the my-heart-has-broken-and-music-is-the-cure languidness that makes most music like this stagnate. Come on, boys, let's try for a bit of diversity.
This record is probably going to appeal to a lot of people, and just doesn't to me because I'm stuck in my Arab on Radar/U.S. Maple/Jesus Lizard love affair right now. However, I'd like to give some props to Mr. Ben Gworek for his interesting artwork; it really confused me.
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