Beet the System – Decompositions
This debut recorded in CA was produced by Beet the System/The Wally Sound. According to its press it was assembled over a decade of American political & cultural backlash, both personal & societal. It’s a soulful mix of ballads, groove music, & odd segues. In the age of technology & algorithm the average joe has a short attention span, so this is designed to keep that path of interest open with humor & dashes of wonder & redemption. Whether this will dig into anyone’s ear & stir up satisfaction is anyone’s guess.
There are 13 Decompositions (Dropped Oct 24/Independent/63:20) distilled & arranged by the band. The introductory tune is a lackadaisically sung “Living In a Body” with a playful vocal set against a steady slow burn beat. Vocally, the unified voices form one signature “voice” & half way through its gears shift into a more groove-oriented beat with guitar noodling & what sounds like someone talking through a bullhorn. Entertaining.
They’re not quite Deaf School or The Tubes. It’s basically a slicky produced set performed tightly & fluidly. Voices sing in unison with an indulging sound but not like Crosby, Stills & Nash or the Beach Boys. It’s anchored in a folky style, arranged with skill & fortunately nothing trivial. The songs are built sensibly.
“Decomposition” is a fine example of the band’s focus as they display pristine finger-picking acoustic guitar & serene melodies with loose & playful depth as well as a jazz-shaded synthesis that creates quite absorbing numbers. While “Symbolic Tamale” is a little light-hearted bossa-nova, the music that’s played is exquisite in contrast. Skillfully arranged interplay.
“Buckle Up” has good instrumentation, precision playing & a vocal cumulative effect. Almost what the ‘60’s Mama’s & the Papas would’ve sounded like had they abandoned the pop folk commercial formula & focused more on a progressive folk approach. Almost what Peter, Paul & Mary did with their attempts at “I Dig Rock ‘n’ Roll Music,” & “The Great Mandela,” folk tunes that deviated from their mainstream formula effectively. The lead guitar often heats up & threads a jagged course through the tightly structured melodies (“Compost Away”). Often in a jazz-based tone.
Lyrically, a little wordy but the attraction is often the music. “Wordier” is obviously a culprit. The band comes close to a more upbeat Blue Nile. Peculiar but polished. Whereas “Rethink” is an impressive monster.
Highlights – “Living In a Body,” “Decomposition,” “Buckle Up,” “Wordier” & “Rethink.”
Musicians – Avidan Rose (bass/percussion/keys), Baba John White (mandolins/uke/vocals), Dan Bonnin (drums/percussion/vocals/tuba/snare/trombones), Obadiah Butterworth (guitars), Sven Eberlein (guitars/vocals/keys) & Tim Kelly (bass on 2-tracks) with Deborah Levoy & Zoe More (vocals), Kristin Ramsey (violin/vocals), Soji Sai (guitar), Alia Fintz (tenor saxes), Hal Walker (whistling) & the Beet Krewe Singers.
Color image courtesy of Beet the System’s website. CD @ Bandcamp & Apple + https://beetthesystem.fun/decompositions/