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Hartsfield
Katya
2004
I must say that it has been very interesting watching this local band progress. The first demo I got my hands on a while back reminded me of that awkward kid that had been sent to the outfield, playing some decent, rather generic screamo. Since then they have been called up to bat and are sure to get a hit. Katya is proof that they have come into their own, drawing influences from bands like Rufio, Taking Back Sunday, and A Static Lullaby to create their own punk-pop mix. I can see a lot of younger kids really getting into this album.
Props to the guys for including a clip from a live show as the intro to ‘Everyday‘ so as to remind everyone of their hometown. ‘Everyday‘ highlights the skills that each member brings to the table, with Jon DeSilva‘s vocals complementing the catchy guitar rhythms; they recently shot a video for the song. ‘My Heart Burns For This‘ is the one song they first got noticed for, however tired they say they are of it.
‘Fellatrixes‘ is a mellower song with some really sharp and personal lyrics: "bottles and one night stands/does this feel right/aren‘t you just so vulnerable?/do you need this?(I don’t know.)/You should‘ve told me this, so let go/slip out the door/you got what you came for/got to have some self-respect". Later in the song there‘s an almost anthem-like chorus: "This is your life, what do you think now?" ‘Enough Is Enough‘ is about failed romance; however, the remorse-filled lyrics are slightly stereotypical of the emo genre on this song. ‘Halifax In Two Days‘ is a solid track with some spoken word. I got too impatient to wait to hear what the hidden track was - fast forward, fast forward! I‘m going to make you pick up the CD yourselves to hear that one, though.
Overall, a good listen. Outstanding tracks are ‘Fellatrixes‘ and ‘Halifax in Two Days‘. Ottawa‘s getting a reputation for producing some excellent bands; try to catch Hartsfield before they hit the road in support of Katya which will be available to purchase mid-August. To find out when they‘re playing near you visit hartsfieldrock.com , or visit their purevolume site to download some of the songs mentioned.
- Samantha E.