Label: Self-released
Release date: 09/20/2013
Production: Real Life Version
Genre: Alternative Rock / Crossover
The Sound of Progress is the second of two releases in the discography of Ajdovščina’s Real Life Version. Socially critical lyrics, a determined attitude and a natural sound are just some of the components of this “sound of progress.” The album stands out at first glance with its artwork alone. A fresh, intriguingly detailed design approach catches the eye and complements what’s hiding under the cover.
What’s hiding on the record itself is a collection of well-thought-out arrangements, with a red thread running clearly through the whole musical journey. The post-punk mood is occasionally punctuated by technically polished instrumental nuances of a more progressive nature. You can feel the latter in the rhythmic interludes too, where the band plays around with different time signatures. The combination of a confident rhythmic base and a direct melodic part sounds raw, but still natural. Of course, some arrangement ballast shows up now and then, like the intro to the opening Straitjacket; without the embellishments, the track would have gained a stronger starting torque. Still, the band’s sound delivers a good dose of energy to the listener, no beating around the bush.
The quality of the recording differs from the first release by the Ajdovščina band mainly in its dynamics and in the development of their own sound. The consistency of the sound across the record (roomy, present drums, a fat bass guitar, guitars with temperament, and the overall balance) adds up to a very healthy sonic picture. Healthy mostly in terms of dynamics; the tracks aren’t wrung dry of their essence as a casualty of the loudness war, but tastefully detailed and full. Occasionally the vocals get flooded by a wave of instrumental firewater, upsetting the balance between the instrumental part and the vocals. The band ran into a similar snag on their debut, but on The Sound of Progress Jani J.’s vocals are much more present in the overall sound. His distinctive timbre adds extra richness to the socially critical lyrics.
The songs are sung exclusively in English with slight slip-ups in diction; but just like the arrangement ballast, the slip-ups are more an artistic added value than an overlooked flaw. The lyrics, which move in the spheres of social critique, self-discovery and identity crisis in the modern world, fit the wall of sound. The track Identities Commodified shows the paradox of punk culture in today’s world; a movement that rebels against the mainstream is becoming a fashion accessory of it.
The Sound of Progress may not exactly capture the development of the Ajdovščina alt scene, but it definitely points to a healthy attitude the band Real Life Version has toward the musical collective. It’s also worth mentioning that the band is responsible for most of the creation process (from the concepts to the recording process and the mix phase), which you can feel in the final product. The record is honest, natural, healthy; a step forward from the teenage quasi-American-angst adolescent era and closer to a truly mature album.
author: Tadej Blažič
rating: 8.5 / 10
Track list:
1. Strait Jacket
2. Idenitites Commodified
3. Down To Zero
4. Sincerely Yours
5. All’s Fair In Love
6. Welcome Insanity
7. Suicidal Note
8. 5040
9. Without Giving Up
Lineup:
Jani Jež – guitar, vocals
Aljoša Todorovič – guitar
Jani Peljhan – bass guitar, vocals
Nejc Franca – drums, vocals
Luka Curk – sound engineer
