FLUID SOUNDS OF A VIBRANT DEBUT
July 2003
Being a veteran
of the Tigne’ rock scene, I tend to feel a bit time-warped (pleasantly
so of course!) when I see musicians from the ‘old school’ still plying
their wares in today’s rock scene. The ‘older’ half of Scar’s line-up is
a good example of this retro spin. It’s nothing to do with the music of
course, but seeing Pierre and David does take me back to their (and my)
younger days when Pierre bashed the skins for Coven and David dished out
slick riffs in pop-rock band Structure. Their presence in today’s rock
scene only reflects their long-standing determination, and alongside
bassist Mike and the energetic frontman/guitarist Konrad, they are
undoubtedly one of the leading rock bands on the island.
Having bided their time while the local scene garnered a greater respect
and a bigger audience, Scar’s ascent has come via the instant impact of
the milder Time To Know, although subsequent singles Calling Out and Red
Carpet were obvious reassurances of where the band’s influences where
coming from. Add to this the vibrant melody of current single Fences,
and it is becomes pretty clear that Scar is not just out to rock your
world – they also want to leave their imprint on it, and the 13 tracks
on this debut have the power to do just that.
Musically, the album has several (obvious) references to the hard-edged
sound of contemporary American rock, as songs like Calling Out, Vacuum
and Everywhere You Go will attest. Underlying this core ingredient
however, there is a less transparent hint of the alt-rock sound that
emanated from the Emerald Isle in the late 80s/early 90s. Tracks such as
Fences or Perfect World echo the lighter approach that launched an army
of Irish hopefuls like Cry Before Dawn, Aslan or Cactus World News.
Occasionally, however, Scar also branch out beyond familiar rock
terrain, dealing out off-the-cuff tracks like the experimental
didgeridoo-driven Sound Of Sketches or the delicate slice of melancholy
that is Surgeon, which, nudged along by tepid electronic rhythms,
highlights the band’s restless quest for diversity. Without meaning to
round up in tiresome cliché veneer, Scar’s debut manages to bring
together the fluid direction of its content into a solid, sound record
that remains interesting and appealing from start to finish.
Recommended weblink: www.scar.com.mt
