Greg Eyman - bass, vocals
Mike Salmon - guitar, vocals
John Walker - drums, xylophone, vocals
Royden Saah - upright bass on "forgotten"
1. my last lies - 4:38
2. the other side - 2:31
3. control shift - 2:24
4. forgotten - 4:23
5. c-lo - 5:52
6. sideways - 3:22
7. living wage - 3:03
8. patterns - 4:50
9. s. america - 4:11
Produced by Greg Elkins & PR∞F; Recorded and Mixed by Greg Elkins at Sonic Wave & Desolation Row Studios, Raleigh, NC; Mastered by Travis Leonard at The Kitchen, Carrboro, NC. All songs mule gives rides (BMI).
Released by Pidgeon English Records, Raleigh, NC
Reviews
As a reviewer I am used to getting press releases from bands I am tasked to listen and think on, and nine times out of ten these informational packages are complete bullshit. Mostly they are filled with propaganda about how this band came into being and how the band is the shit and you shouldn't live without them blah, blah, blah, and sometimes they contain a laughable review trying to influence you. With Proof's minimalistic press release, it included some obligatory information about the band and, as is nominal for these releases, a description of what they sound like using other bands i.e. "For fans of: Fugazi and Girls Against Boys" and a few other bands. This is where I stopped and had to take a moment, because it is just plain sacrilegious to use the names of these bands without truly deserving it. Raised in the DC area, these bands helped shape my understanding of what music should be, so, in other words, I would consider myself a die-hard fan of both of these bands. Worse is the fact that there are plenty of bands that just name-drop to get your attention, only to let you down as you discover how crappy they really are. So I listen to Proof's album and try to keep an open mind, while also knowing there has not been one band worthy of these descriptions.
I have now found the exception to my strict view. And coming from me, a self-expressed die-hard, it is a big compliment. This band is awesome. They take elements from many different sources and compile them into a very experimental, yet palpable concoction of beautiful music. The song "Control Shift" sounds like it could have been written by either of the above mentioned bands, and yet it is completely Proof.
What impressed me the most about their style is the way they
can just turn a song on a dime. So tight and precise, with so
much variation within each song, it boggles my mind at how they
managed to fit two or three or four completely separate pieces
into one coherent and enlightening song. Each of these pieces
by themselves are catchy and ingenious, but like jigsaw pieces
they don't look a thing like any other piece. Looking from the
outside, you would see these parts and calmly say, "there
is no way they would fit together", until they just do.
It really mystified me, and made me respect them even more.
Back to front this is a good album, it alternates in mood, without
feeling forced and, relying on a steady guitar backing, it accomplishes
much in the way of presentation throughout. By far and large my
favorite song on the album is "Other Side", a great
piece of musicianship which is clean and elegant. Every time I
listened to that song the hairs on my arms would raise because
it was just that good. Every time. Moreover, the lyrics
were simple yet powerful, and backed by haunting vocals, the overall
effect is priceless.
Being nit-picky I do have to say that the vocals and drums suffered in the final production of the album. Nothing drastic, mind you, rather just a hair under-produced due to the fact this is a guitar-driven effort. A little bit of extra time in that area and the album would be absolutely perfect. But it is so close to perfection it is hardly worth dwelling on.
What can I say, I loved this album. I was just checking their website to see if they were going to make their way west any time soon, so I can personally shake their hands for a job well done. But alas, no, I will have to wait, and hope they come out with another masterpiece in the near future. 'Til then I will constantly play their self-titled release. You don't know what you are missing.
-bishop
It has never ceased to be amazing when a band can combine the organic honesty of simple instruments and the complex layers of synthetic sounds. It is truly a daunting task to undertake, but when a band achieves this elusive goal, it makes for a truly interesting and impressive album. Proof is one of those bands. Though their album may not combine the levels of organic and synthetic sound as innovatively and brilliantly as others who have pursued the same idea, it does hold its own amidst similar artists. Similarities can be drawn between American Analog Set, as well as other under-appreciated indie-rock acts. Warm, resonating rhythms, tumbling drums, and a monotonous vocalist all combine to make a likeable sound.
-tChow
Press
