Color, Motion, Shape, and Depth - Color, Motion, Shape, and Depth

​Color, Motion, Shape, and Depth

Color, Motion, Shape, and Depth
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

By Jamie Funk
​

Color, Motion, Shape, and Depth sounds like a band playing live but it's in fact one guy named Shane Arsenault. His self-titled effort Color, Motion, Shape, and Depth is a complete DIY which means I’m impressed. He laid down vocals, did the drums, bass and guitar and everything else that is in there. That being said the production and recording quality could certainly use some improvements. His vocals were a little too deep in the mix at times even as a fan of shoegaze style vocals. 

His style is unrefined and he will indulge in completely experimental sounds like sheets of white noise to aggressive post-punk style rocking. He opens with “Reason” that goes into a lot of different places. He goes from soft and serene to distorted guitar chords. His vocals are sometimes so low in the mix I barely noticed he was singing. Other times it sounds like he is kind of pissed or mad. The vocals didn't feel vital to the song; almost like an afterthought compared to the music itself. He sings, “give me all the reason i will not take your poison i will not hate these noises.”

After a minute long feedback section entitled “White Noise” he goes into “Alright With You.” It becomes clear that singing isn't the strong point here. I get the sound he is going for and some of it does work such as when he sings “and you know that it's true everyone always knew you couldn't even choose.” Other times he exaggerates his vocals too much. Towards the end of the song it sounds like someone shot him in the leg with an arrow and he is screaming because of the excruciating pain . 

“Out of Control” sounds similar to a Sonic Youth song during the Daydream Nation era while “I'll Go Away” is an ambient, psychedelic beginning that transitions into a more rock fueled noise fest. “A Predate” is more or less white noise with some elements that surface to the top.

​You get the sense that Color, Motion, Shape, and Depth was a vehicle for Arsenault to have some sort of cathartic release. This type of music is not about the details. It’s visceral, supposed to be immediate and can leave you exhausted. Color, Motion, Shape, and Depth is far from perfect and there is a long list of improvements that Arsenault can make in order for his music to become more effective. That being said this is a solid DIY start that displays a passionate performer who knows what type of music he wants to make.

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