Big Orange Crayonmusical thingsSarge Distant Mud Records I was really upset when Sarge broke up. I mean, they were one of the first indie bands I got into (I'm young, ok?). Charcoal was one of my favorite albums for a long time and then the Glass Intact came out and I liked that even better, so I was really looking forward to the next Sarge album. I'm not sure whether or not this can really be called a new Sarge album in the proper sense since there are only a few new songs, a few live recordings and a few covers, but I'm glad it came out at least. It starts out with three new songs, "Detroit Star-lite" which is a really wonderful, fast Sarge song, "the end of july" which is a sweeter, slower, but just as powerful song, and "Clearer" which is absolutely great and driving. It all ends two more new songs, "distant" which is achingly sad and sweet, and "all my plans changed.." which is basically a softer and just as cool version of "the end of july". If you haven't listened to Sarge before, probably one of their other albums would be a better introduction, but to summarize, I'd say think of punk inspired, agressive rock music with a girl singing, but not in that kind of "riot grrl" way, in a sweeter, more honest and more fragile kind of way. They were just swell. The live tracks are absolutely great, especially the "Half as Far" which seems even stronger than the album version. I just kind of sat there in shock the first time I heard it. I really wish I had gotten a chance to see them live when they were together, but alas I live in upstate New York and therefore far away from all civilization. Elizabeth Elmore is still playing music, though, so maybe someday. The covers are really swell, too. I always thought that Sarge could do a kickass cover of "These Boots are Mode for Walkin'" and they did. Rad. So, yeah, it really, really, absolutely sucks that Sarge doesn't exist anymore. At least they left us this CD, though, I guess. Total score: 618 out of 618 |