Passenger Effect - Passenger Effect

Passenger Effect

Passenger Effect
self-released; 2014

3.4 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

When I review an album the first thing I do is press play and listen. I don’t read the bio and basically I don’t have any information about the band. I was listening to the self-titled album Passenger Effect by Passenger Effect and was thinking to myself that there were four to five people in the band. I was almost positive that the album was recorded live because of some of the percussive elements as well as transitions that just seemed more reliant on full bands to create. After giving the album a spin I started reading the bio and was confronted with the fact that Passenger Effect is one guy named Todd Schietroma.

Passenger Effect is a mixed album. Some of the songs were basically straight up rock/alternative songs while others were infused with original experimentation. I’ll tell you right now the rock stuff Schietroma plays isn’t bad but it just sounds like a million and one other bands out there but the more experimental, percussive heavy material is unique. He may be onto something with that style. 

One of the highlights is the first track “Release The Pressure.” Schietroma mixes what could be called African influenced percussion with distorted guitars and reverb soaked vocals that also have some type of backward effect. It kind of sounded like Fishbone. I wouldn’t say the song was catchy but it was engaging. 

“Raise It” was a solid track and benefited from sounding open with a lot of space. He implements the guitars and distortion well here. Better than he does on a couple of other songs.

Another highlight was “Inside Your Mind,” which contained some of the best vocal melodies on the album. Schietroma creates a chill yet festive vibe here that proves to be one of his biggest strengths.The album is enjoyable and a majority of the songs were good while a couple didn’t really hit the mark. I’m not sure why but I kept thinking an additional female would be money on these songs. Food for thought for the next album.

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