The Starting Line swear by them and there’s a bit of a clamour Stateside to get a piece of them, so there’s absolutely no pressure on Motion City Soundtrack to deliver the goods then… This split EP with Schatzi really showcases exactly why MCS are so highly rated – it’s pop-punk with the geek rock cool of some well placed keyboards. Imagine Rivers Cuomo fronting The Starting Line while performing Yellowcard covers and you won’t be too far wide of the mark. Schatzi on the other hand are a little less obvious, tending to mix the juvenile (see the final track) with the brooding (‘Coreopsis’).
For me the standout tracks of this 6 song split are the three MCS songs. ‘Throw Down’ is sure to be a summer hit featuring on mix tapes across the world – or at least it should be. There are guitar riffs flying out from all sides, Justin Pierre’s vocals are launched with gusto and the chorus is perfect. Stick this on in the car, roll down the windows and sing along and the world will be a better place. ‘Capital H’ has the feel of a more accessible Ozma, heavily laden with keyboards and effects but still maintaing the chirpiest of choruses. You will be tapping, singing or even dancing along so don’t hold back, it’s just inevitable. ‘Back To the Beat‘ certainly has a Weezer feel to it without venturing into rip-off territory, but it’s another fun song that demands attention. Fantastic summer music which when the sun shines is essential listening, it’s a pity there’s only three tracks here. I will certainly be checking out more.
Schatzi come from Eudora in Kansas which fans of The Get Up Kids will know well. Unfortunately there’s no other links to TGUK, as Schatzi fall well short in talent. Their three songs are reasonably good but don’t maintain the high standards that MCS set. On first listen tracks like ‘Coreopsis’ are far more considered and ‘weighty’ than those of MCS. The throwaway pop is disposed in favour of a sound that packs a little more of a punch and while their opening song is ok, it doesn’t compare. ‘Arithmetic’s Collapse’ also hints at Ozma, with a moog running in and out of the guitar lines, but it’s the truly awful cover of ‘Any Way You Want It’ that brings everything down. 80’s rock is cool…when it is performed by 80’s bands. But this, almost a straight cover of the Journey song, is quite frankly rubbish. It ranks as bad as Student Rick‘s cover of ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’ in the pointless cover stakes.
It’s worth purchasing this EP for the Motion City Soundtrack songs alone. A band that we are certain to hear more of in the very near future, they could well become the soundtrack to your summer. Four stars to MCS, three stars to Schatzi = 3.5 stars for an EP worthy of a purchase.
www.schatzi.net
www.motioncitysoundtrack.com
Paul