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

The Balancing Act - Live Alone

10/21/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Balancing Act

Live Alone
self-released; 2014

3.2 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
What do young guys do at college besides chase girls, drink beer and eat leftover pizza? Sometimes they play music and that was the case with Matt and Mitch who met at Western University in London, Ontario. They would get together and play songs. They wanted to get something down on paper so decided on the moniker The Balancing Act and recorded Something To Hold On To in their basement in two day’s time.

I’m sure if they could have afforded to get better equipment or recorded in a professional studio they would have but sometimes you have to use what you got. Unfortunately, the quality needs to be pointed out because it adversely affects the impact of the songs. The songs are simple consisting of acoustic guitars and vocals. Despite the minimal approach the acoustic guitars sound paper thin and tinny lacking any warmth. The vocals are in desperate need of proper compression, proper implementation of reverb and balancing when they harmonize. 

Musically, the songs are hit and miss. They sing fast and stick to simplistic pop/punk type songs that cover topics that a typical twenty-something vents over.

The first song “Time to Grow” revolves around a simple chord progression and is lyrically straightforward lacking any metaphors or puns. The vocalist sings, “I'm falling apart for the third time/This week but I know I'll be just fine/I'm growing up with every step I take/ I'm on my own now but I know I'll be okay.” The vocal delivery is solid and he stays within his natural range showing a decent voice. This isn’t the case with “Live Alone.” The first half is fine but when he screams completely out of his range the vocals fall apart

“End of the Line” gets the guys back on track as it revolves around decent guitar work and a catchy vocal melody. Another standout was one of the slower tracks “Coming Home.” The guitar picking was solid.

This is the type of music that young teenage fans will enjoy. It has most in common with commercial mall punk and will resonate most with fans of bands like Blink 182 and Real Friends. If they plan on taking their music to the next level they are going to have to get something on tape of higher quality. My advice is to befriend an audio engineering student, learn a bit more about the craft and build a studio or save up some cash and go into a professional studio. There is a big market for this type of music and Balancing Act might resonate with that demographic as long as the audience can hear them.
bandcamp
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