Unknown Component delivers the soothing and the serious in its latest indie release, In Direct Communication.
This album offers an extremely soft and melodic flow that quickly hypnotizes the listener. It is all too easy to relax into the rhythm of the acoustic guitar and the background piano and then look at the clock and realize that 30 minutes have passed.
The lyrics are filled with socially conscious messages about treating the world and each other with a greater respect. However, the lyrics are not delivered in an angry rant, but in a despondent voice that echoes from the background like a voice calling out from the wilderness.
The vocals of Keith Lynch are not particularly spectacular, and some might even consider his tone-deaf, strained singing a nuisance. However, it is not unlike the voice of Eliot Smith, Radiohead’s vocals or a number of other prominent indie bands.
This album definitely displays the softer aspects of indie rock with equal attention given to both the drums and the piano.
In Direct Communication relies on simple fundamental beats and chord progressions to create its harmonic sound. The lack of complexity and experimentation within the beats can be attributed to the fact that Unknown Component is a one-man band and Lynch must play every instrument and then synch them together himself.
The production value of In Direct Communication is a little lacking as well. There is not enough diversity or distinctions within the songs for any one particular section to stand out. This also causes the album to run together like one long song with different lyrics, but only subtly different melodies. Also, the album has an unusual quality of sounding as though the music is coming from a distance. Both the lyrics and the instrumentation resonate as though they have been delegated to the background, leaving nothing particularly gripping in the forefront.
This album does have some redeeming qualities that make it a worthwhile listen, however. Even though the entire album lacks any gripping music that might be played on the radio or bought on iTunes, it does flow extremely well.
In Direct Communication is definitely an easy and relaxing listen that can be appreciated for its simplicity, but also has a deep and meaningful message that is severely lacking in most modern music.
Unknown Component’s In Direct Communication is an interesting album that digresses back into simple beats and meaningful lyrics that seem to have been lost in most modern music.
Although not as lyrically talented as Bob Dylan, Lynch’s style is definitely derivative of the folk and early rock decades of the 1960s.
This album is recommended for those who enjoy softer rock and place a greater emphasis on lyrical styling than musical technique.
