THIS CALAMITY is the experimental acoustic project of Martyn Crocker, a West Country native who has somehow managed to negotiate a sound somewhere between Dashboard Confessional, Brand New and Babeshadow.
Whilst this certainly provides a little something for everyone, this jack of all trades style risks alienating everyone. Through a combination of luck and talent, This Calamity manages to do a pretty good job, with a three track EP that leaves the listener intrigued.
The atmospheric ‘Be Near Me Now’, begins things with echoing vocals, a haunting choral backing and ominous chords, flaunting the indie face of This Calamity. ‘Animals’ follows; and the melancholy sound of the track certainly nods in the direction of the Britpop of days gone by with elements of Oasis and Placebo. Meanwhile, the nasally vocal style is reminiscent of AFI’s Davey Havok, which some might say is an acquired taste. ‘Caesar’, with its eclectic instrumentation and funk-infused verses, provides the best of the three – even if the lyrics are a little corny.
Unfortunately, ‘Animals’ finishes just as it’s getting started, but despite its stunted length there’s enough here to spark an interest.
RAMSEY MARWAN