Tephra - A Modicum of Truth
(Conversation repeated ad infinitum by two music fans somewhere in the world)
"Have you heard (BAND XYZ)'s new album?"
"Yea. It totally sucks."
"I know man. I'm totally bummed."
"They used to be, like, all heavy and shit. And now they're like... not and shit."
"I know man. It was all like 'JUH-JUH-JAAAAAAA... VWOOOM!' and now it's all like "mwwaaaaaah...."
"Totally man. What a bunch of crybabies."
"Totally."
Most recently this obligatory, oft-repeated conversation has been applied to bands like Isis and Pelican who, while still heavy, have new albums which certainly reflect a more nuanced approach to song-writing which relies less on the "JUH-JUH" and more on the "mwwaaaaaah." If you're one of those people who has participated in the above conversation in reference to, say, Isis, might I suggest that a little Tephra is exactly what you're looking for?
Tephra is a one trick pony if ever there was one. Fortunately, Tephra's one trick makes me want to throw up the fucking horns and rock out. They pretty much go straight for the jugular with every riff on this record. Sure, they have some lights parts. And, yes, their light parts make me think "boy, this light part is boring. I wish they would get back to the rock." However, usually right between the words "back" and "to" in my thought they bring the fucking metal hammer down. I like a band that knows their strengths and Tephra seems pretty aware that light parts are not really their thing. They're at their best when they're piling sweet riff on top of sweet riff.
Now, in and of itself, this can cause problems. This record has 11 songs, including several of those interlude things bands like this tend to do. Now sometimes interludes are really cool and add to the overall feel of the record. On this record I can't imagine I'll ever listen to them again. Three seconds into them I'm waiting for the next REAL song to begin. Problematic.
On top of that, there's only so much sweet riffage one can take before one needs a break. I have a feeling this will be one of those records I listen to in halves, as in I listen to tracks 1-6 in one sitting, then 7-11 the next. When you write pummeling, 7-9 minute long songs and then put a whole ass load of them on your record the odds of anyone but the most ardent superfan being able to get all the way through it in one sitting are pretty fucking slim.
Critical remarks aside, it's always nice when a band dispenses with the vast majority of the bullshit and just gives the children what they want: sweet lady rock. Don't get me wrong, I like the bullshit. There are plenty of bands that do the bullshit really, really well. Tephra, however, isn't one of them, and that's fine.
Tephra, being heavy.
