ComfortComes

Computer Vs. Banjo – Computer Vs. Banjo

Computer vs. Banjo has a bit of fame due to their full feature website and popularity on Myspace. Much of their fame can be owed to a pong game on the band’s website. The game is re-themed for the band. Their music has been described as digital folk. The songs have a folk, blues and country influence that is blended with synthesized electronic sounds. There is a mix of experimental and pop songs. Other songs on the album head towards an adult contemporary Coldplay feel. The band formed in Nashville, Tennessee by founders Johnny Mann and Beau Stapleton. Both Mann and Stapleton are members of other bands. The band sometimes goes by the abbreviation CVB. They released their self titled debut album on June 17th.

Track by Track

1. Jubilee – This song features a piano joined by special effects and bits of guitar sound. The focus is a blues/folk vocal. After a little bit the drums kick in and the band develops more of a pop sound. This song has a nice experimental sound but is a little repetitive. Unfortunately, the repetition kills much of its replay value as a pop song.

2. Guitars need a Sinner’s Touch – This is CVB’s first release. The song is one of the albums best tracks and a good choice to be a single. It also may be a glimpse into the future of where this bands sound might head towards when they record future albums. Everything comes together nicely for the band on this one.

3. Give up on Ghosts – This is the best song on the album. The chorus is very alt rock over blues country guitars. There is a rock tempo, the drums are turned down. This should be a single on the album. The vocal variation on this album along with a more upbeat tempo makes this a stand out track. If you don’t purchase this album, you should at least check out this song.

4. Outer space – Space like special effects start the song off. The solo singing in the beginning is much better on this track than others. The airiness on of the vocals almost sound like John Lennon’s as a solo artist. Computerized melody accompanies the special effects. The chorus is bright and catchy. It’s a solid track for the album. With a bit of tweaking this possibly could have been a very good single.

5. Low – Very experimental. Bright synthesizer keyboard is accompanied by a syncopated drum sound. The drums are very similar to the drumming found on Radiohead’s last couple of albums. There are bits of chorus and random Flamming Lips type special effects thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately this would probably only be a b-side for the above mentioned bands. I like where Computer Vs. Banjo is heading on this song and would like to see them get more experimental.

6. San Joaquin – Reminiscent of Robert Plant’s more recent work. The slow rhythm makes the song drags a bit and can be slightly uncomfortable. The sound is very much an old country blues folk sound that could have fit on the soundtrack to the film ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’

7. Magazine Queen – Interesting blend of early folk with synth pop. The melody is just as catchy as the chorus. The inclusion of overly simple drumming is a bit humorous.

8. Stone – The awkward vocal whispers in the beginning of the track lead into a nice nineties alternative rock style chorus. There is odd syncopated beats in-between chorus. This is quite a good song and a little reminiscent of Radiohead musically. The vocals during the chorus are among the best on the album.

9. 2heavy2hold – The piano sound makes this track more enjoyable than it otherwise would be. The change in vocal volume during the lead up to the chorus is some that the band should experiment with more on future tracks.

10. Concealed – There is a lot of instrumentation and special effects on this song. This song is one of the more experimental tracks. It’s reminiscent of the Flaming Lips. The change in drum rhythms is engaging from beginning to end. The band really shines on this song.

11. Lost – This song has an eighties sound. The synthesizer and guitars work well together on this song. The song lyrics are too repetitive at points and the vocals feel a little week on this one.

12. Signs of Passing Time – This is an airy folk rock song with lyrics about the changing times. This song is similar to some of Led Zeppelin’s folk rock from their third album. The song never goes anywhere and feels incomplete.

Criticism

This album is a good start for a new band but their songwriting isn’t yet good enough. The band can play, the vocals sound good, the lyrics are interesting, but the songs overall come off as a little dull. The band needs more bright spots in their songs and some more passion in the singing. The album as a whole is a bit of a downer and there is mild variation between tracks. More work on the vocals would make this album a lot better. The singers are more capable vocally than what they have shown us thus far. The band is somewhat experimental but hasn’t quite found their sound yet and the album comes off a schizophrenic. The first tracks are very strong but the album trails offs.

Final Thoughts

Keep an eye on this band. They have a lot of creativity and loads of unfulfilled potential. The band shows tremendous promise and could have many future hits. The band needs to solidify their musical direction and song dynamics. The album is good overall but slightly disconnected. With this album the band proves that they are more then just a novelty act. If you are a fan of mild electronic folk or adult contemporary experimental music, then Computer Vs. Banjo may be the new band you are looking for.

If you would like to purchase the album click on our link

By Jonathan Cohen