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

Sap Laughter - Catacombs

2/11/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
Sap Laughter

Catacombs
self-released; 2014

3.6 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton
Sap Laughter is chilled like champagne and yet it’s sweet and easy character is far from fancy. Picture a loosely assembled outfit of gentlemen, hands clinging to the shapes of old mason jars full of tea and lined with stains of haze. It’s all a sedated brew of relaxation and grooves, heavily draped in bright guitar, this being key in their lead melodies and richly painted strum patterns. Effects are used lightly on their album Catacombs while the attack stays at a near constant medium because no one’s trying to push the limits here. 

This is music for the reclined, for the dreamers, for the introverted. Most of the songs flirt with a kind of gently distorted surf quality, which is encouraged along by the album art. A wave cresting and approaching the shore might just be a nice picture, but I see a deeper meaning. It touches on the connection of humanity to nature and narrates beautiful musings between the two. Track to track, things don’t differ much at all so this album is best prescribed as a whole. It flows like the tide and breathes salty.

Catacombs has a solid mix of instrumentals that balance out nicely. In fact, I didn’t even notice until the second time around. I think it’s a stroke of original genius to share the record with pure frontal musicianship as well as standard lyricism. Only thing I would say, an ironically timed comment nonetheless, is that “Intuition” sounds just like the intro to “One Of These Nights” by the Eagles. If you didn’t hear that initially, you will now. Sorry, it’s still awesome. 

“Circles” has a nice funky turn around beat paired with some simple guitar play and just the right amount of bass, sitting deep and soft in the mix. The vocals finish things off with reserved projection and airy harmonies, setting the tone for all to come. “Out of Love” almost just sounds like an extension of “Circles.” The tempos don’t vary too much on this album, but “Rest In Peace” pushes things a few clicks toward the end and even introduces a Latin vibe. Despite moments of urgency, the groove is ever- present acting like a gravitational force for the laid back halftime that permeates like a soul tone. Sap Laughter move with patience and have a pretty special collection here.
Become A Fan
Tweet
2 Comments
Claudia Parke
2/11/2015 09:52:41 am

Super catchy. Well put together. From a '60's ought to know good music elder.

Reply
Sap Fan
12/11/2015 01:11:10 pm

3.6?! Reconsider!

=)

Reply

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