The Sharp Ease
Going Modern
2004
Olfactory Records
www.thesharpease.com
YAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!! It's the Sharp Ease!
This is my favorite album of 2004 (too bad it's almost 2006). The Sharp Ease is an L.A. band with a hefty street cred. And the talent to back it up. If these gals had anymore street cred. They'd have a street named after them. And yet, somehow they've managed to remain unpalatable to the mainstream. I haven't been to a Sharp Ease show yet though that hasn't been packed and ended with everyone bouncing along together to the jams that Paloma and Co. are throwing out there.
I've danced with Paloma at these shows more often than not- both of us drunk (or maybe it was just me) and part of the intrigue of the Sharp Ease is their inclusiveness- rare in an age where the rock star mentality has ripped back into the indie scene, turning Ian McKayes into David Bowies overnight. No offense to Mr. Bowie, but I'd rather be able to feel a connection to the performers rather than get glammed out of my shoes.
But this is about the Sharp Ease and their album…
Going Modern is the kind of solid album a seasoned band like the Sharp Ease should make. "Advantage" begins the mayhem of Going Modern that doesn't let up, sending you reeling with all of the 4-4 beats, and anthem choruses that make Punk so great. But wait! There's some serious lyrical complexity going on here. Paloma is quite the songwriter has and with the help of the band weaves complex tales of love trysts, social hang-ups- the stuff of everyday of everyday life. There's no simplicity here though. Paloma is a modern day Ginsberg, spraying metaphors and lurching through her lines like a drunk on a merry-go-round. The ride is quite fantastic and the swirl of guitars and thrum of Dana B's base make the picture complete.
Now if I can just find the "repeat" button on my CD player…
-John Southern