Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Austin band Preserve the Sound have stumbled onto something. I’m not quite sure what it is yet, but the more I listen to Writ on Water the closer I am to figuring it out. The circuitous dual guitar stylings of vocalist Kevin Stutz and Dave Hodson lead the charge on “Prelude” which meanders into the aggressive “Dark Horse Candidate.” Aggressive is an interesting choice in describing this music as Stutz’s vocals are anything but.
Think Elliot Smith, if he had fronted Thursday or No Knife. It’s a nice counter to the heavy riffs, anchored by drummer Jayson Cruz, and the absolutely stellar bass grooves of Marcos Lujan that permeate the album. It’s kind of like your mom singing you to slumber with lullabies as she smothers you with a pillow. Surprisingly, the only particularly weak track is the title song. “Writ in Water” is an instrumental piece which, though ambitious, is uneven in tempo and overindulgent at times.
“There’s no Way” is by far the best song on the album, and might be my favorite song to come from an Austin band this year. Ominous and endearing all at once, it showcases band’s ability to write addictive tunes that don’t delve into the realm of cheese. “How can I find a better temporary purpose?” Stutz inquires in earnest during the song. Well, after listening to Writ in Water, I’m not really sure how to answer that. This music thing seems to suit them pretty well.
– llen rad
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