the Believe it or Nots - "There's A Great Future in Plastics"

The Believe It Or Nots - "There's A Great Future in Plastics"

Sadly, the Believe It Or Nots' relationship to their fans will soon mirror the sentiments expressed in their recently-released CD EP, "There's a Great Future in Plastics." Just as they are reaching a wider audience than ever and able to give their fans something tangible, they soon will be no more. However, the fans' "dusty feelings" will always be able to be refreshed with a listening of "Plastics," which captures the emotional and dynamic range of the band -- and all the while maintaining upbeat tempo and poppy layered riffs, the musical equivalent of a plastic smile masking the bittersweet timing of this release and their disbanding.

The disc opens with "Terra Incognito," an upbeat track as catchy and sweetly dissonant as the temptress is graceful, attractive, and shady. The two guitars are used well immediately in this song and throughout the album as Greg Franklin and Michael Angeletti support and supplement each other without resorting to the heavily cliched and overused "rhythm" and "lead" roles. John T. Nguyen's drumming kicks the band into steady-rocking verses and leads the dynamic drop into the more reflective and moody "...don't forget she's only human/don't forget it's only life..." with his cymbals and back into the rest of the song with his kicks and tight beat.

"12 O'clock in Brooklyn" and "Signals Mixed" share a theme of longing for a distant lover while using a minimum of love song cliches. "Love" is never mentioned outright, and while lost or unfulfilled promise of love are clear subjects of the songs from the first two lines of each, neither sappiness nor shallow understatement is approached. "Brooklyn" is the more rough-edged and minor-sounding of the two, while "Signals Mixed" is the more bittersweet, conscious attempt at prioritizing the good feelings over the sadness.

Angeletti's often-strained vocals mirror the emotional strains expressed in his lyrics. Gregory Franklin adds harmonies and complimentary vocals which are distinct from Angeletti's without being sour, lost in the mix, or overpowering. The melodies never sound stagnant or awkward, and fluctuate with the mood of the song very well.

"Blackberry Sage" features my favorite guitar riff on the album, the most changes in dynamics and feel, and some of Angeletti's most succinct poetry. After singing of sentiments and lamentations, he's now singing about "...distanc[ing] himself...with facts and numbers". Bassist Bradley Teckron tastefully continues his meat-and-potatoes approach to supporting the band to another level by holding roots until they nearly fade or sitting out while the harmonized guitar riff cascades over the pauses, then returns in full force to propel the band through the edgier middle-to-end of the tune.

The album closes with the instrumental "Hand Me My Broadsword" and an unlisted track. "Broadsword" lacks much of a melody, but instead offers a high dose of guitar-driven pop fanfare and ear candy.

See the Believe It Or Nots for their final performances at the Lazer's Live Local Music show at the Granada Sunday, August 22, and at Sprit Fest '99. While the EP accurately captures the live sound of the Believe It Or Nots, one should experience the real thing while one still can.

--Mark Cuthbertson