Reflector - "Prelude to Novelty" (Status Recordings)

Album review by Mark Cuthbertson

Over a year ago, Reflector recorded and released their first five-song CD EP, the Journal. Packaged in a plain, understated, white cardboard sleeve with a simple stamped-on title, the songs from the Journal were decidedly more complex with powerful dynamic ebbs and flows, fresh chord progressions which were still catchy and musical, and emotional lyrics and singing.

Prelude to Novelty is a chronological account of the band’s growth since the Journal. The first four songs (“Blue Skies,” “The Loop,” “On the Table,” and “Four-Day Van”) have been released previously in 7” format. “Blue Skies” and “On the Table” would nearly fit onto the Journal without seeming out of place. Conversely, “The Loop” and “Four-Day Van” feature faster, hard-hitting, and more dissonant moments and are drastic departures from the signature brooding tempos and introspective contents of most Reflector tunes. The closing track, “In On Roanoke,” returns to their signature sounds with a slightly more aggressive and angsty twist. One or more of the young musicians displays a loss of innocence and gained experience with the conclusion that “...all roads don’t lead to Rome,” a sharp contrast to the perpetual “...blue skies in my heart” sentiment of the opener.

Prelude does not offer the same beginning-to-end continuity of the Journal. Instead, a wider range of emotions and sounds are packed into this EP. Some Journal listeners may be disappointed; some who weren’t impressed by the Journal may purchase their first Reflector recording. Unfortunately, the disc is only meant to hint at the upcoming full-length album and is a quick listen at five songs totaling less than fifteen minutes -- especially if not all five songs appeal to the listener. I found myself consistently listening to no more than three or four of the songs per sitting; however, most albums twice the size of Prelude don’t have even two songs of the same caliber as “Blue Skies” and “In On Roanoke.”

--Mark Cuthbertson

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