Egomyth - Pictures In The Open Air (CD)

 

Music: C+     Sound: B

 

 

Egomyth are a group from Western Pennsylvania.  They are a four-piece that sounds at times like U2, and at other times sounds like Morrissey fronting Billy Idol's band.  They are one of the millions of bands all over the country who play their local bars and regional venues, hoping for a breakthrough.  In your town, there's probably a band like that.  Oh, sure, they may not play songs that sound like King's X meets Simple Minds (two bands Egomyth champions), but you know their story.  They work like hell to get a following, however small it may be.  One of the guys struggles to learn HTML so he can create the band's website.  Another guy in the band gets them that primo gig opening up for the Motley Crue cover band.  It's the story of rock 'n roll.

 

Egomyth has just released their new CD, Pictures In The Open Air which is available only through their website (www.egomyth.com), which has decent PCM CD Stereo sound for an independent production.  It is available for the sum total of six dollars.  This is a good deal if you like their kind of music, which, as I said earlier, has elements of U2, Billy Idol, and Morrissey in it.  However, if you're like me, you'll probably laugh at how pretentious this mess can be.  Witness the second track, Ghosts/Pictures/Masks.  Now the title should clue you in, but after about three minutes of instrumental riffage, the lead singer begins reciting poetry.  POETRY?  Ho ho ho ho ho!  I hope the guy is parodying "serious" artists, but I suspect he isn't.

 

To be fair, the music on "Pictures" is well done.  The band is tight, and they've got a lot of gumption to go with the 80s alternative sound.  The problems with this band are their songwriting. It's obvious they have love for U2, but must their vocalist attempt a Bono imitation on every song?  They start out with decent riffs, but can't take them anywhere. Each song has a formula of long intro, pleading verses, faux-anthemic chorus.  It isn't fair, I know.  Egomyth are the underdog.  I don't feel good picking on them.  I will say this to the band: you are free to cannibalize this review and print quotes out of context in order to make it look like I actually liked your CD (suggested blurb: "The band is tight...decent riffs").  And if you live in Western Pennsylvania where these guys perform, do them a favor.  Go see them.  Have a beer.  Smile because you're supporting an original band instead of some dippy Motley Crue cover band.  Do it for the underdog.

 

 

-   Michael J. Farmer