Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Bits of alan - stories

1/12/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Bits of Alan

Stories
self-released; 2014

3.1 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
Bits of Alan is a band from West Chester, PA that are composed of three childhood friends who recently released an EP entitled Stories. The three-piece play acoustic emo based songs that are covered in the existential dilemmas that would plague someone in their early 20’s. It’s hard not to think of the undisputed king of this style of music Conor Oberst when listening to Stories. The songs on Stories drip with the same type melancholy and in reality will attract the same audience. 

The album opens with one of the strongest songs entitled “Paper Hearts.” It’s obvious that whoever is singing put some time into the lyrics. It follows a loose narrative but also goes into lyrical territory that feels reminiscent to Oberst. The vocalist sings about remembering this and remembering that event while also detailing some of his innermost feelings. He sings, “if you can lie here next to me then maybe I can sleep tonight / Oh that would be alright by me and tell me you were serious the night you kissed so I could be alright.”

“I Decided” is a spoken word piece that contains ambiguous poetry that feels like it’s being read by a disgruntled college student who just took his first philosophy class and still doesn’t quite understand his feelings or others or how any of this crazy world makes any sense. I can picture this piece done in a coffee shop that resides right by the quad.

“Open Doors” is the highlight on the EP. It’s the first track that relies on the music just as much as the lyrics and pays off because of it. The song revolves around simple chords, drums and bass - nothing too fancy but the vocal melody is a catchy solid pop that shows some potential.

The last track “Untitled” is a mix between overly serious spoken poetry and decent songwriting. From what I can make out he says lines like “I wake up in the dark and find I'm the only one in existence - I've been with my imaginary friend all along I can't believe I missed it” as if he is deep in thought and about to shed a tear for humanity. 

Overall, Stories is mixed. First the bad; the poetic spoken word may appeal to lost souls of a younger generation but often come off as sophomoric and pretentious. I think it’s more than normal to be flooded with too much information when you're young and it’s obvious that the singer is trying to put it all in perspective. Nothing wrong with that but the vocalist here not only sounds young but also as if he’s got it all figured out in the form of circular ramblings and metaphors.  

Stories does have some decent tunes and the most successful “Open Doors” should be a style that they outline in the future. They will be able to get away with almost any lyrics they want if people can hum along to it. 

Bits of Alan is a case of wait and see.
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact