Reviews

It is the year 2007, but after dropping the needle onto Street Smart Cyclist’s 2006 seven inch, I have been transported back to 1999.  It was then that bands like the Jazz June, Promise Ring, and Jets to Brazil were ruling the small punk venues around the country.  Emo had a grasp on the pseudo-punk rock underground, or at least its nerdy counterpart.  At some point in the last eight years, emo, much like third wave ska, lost its appeal.  People began to think that mathy rhythms, clean, energetic guitars, and out of tune vocals just did not cut it anymore.  People needed a little more anger to go with their emo; screaming vocals and distorted guitars pushed out these bands that started it all.
 
It appeared that we had lost this “classic” emo sound to the ways of the Hot Topic youth.  But alas there is hope.  Street Smart Cyclist’s 2006 seven inch is nine minutes of poppy, energetic, intricate, clean, happy fucking emo.
 
The first track is “Hoods Up!”  It begins with a complicated little melody and some tom rolls, a short pause then bam; it kicks in with a clean thunder.  Lyrically, the tune is classic as singer John Galm sings about winter and relationships.  This cut is good, especially the group vocals that come at the end.  The second track is cleverly titled “Pastor of Muppets,” however I can’t draw a link to the lyrics.  This track has the best guitar part on the EP, a rolling riff that is just very interesting, and the rhythms that accompany it make this song really stand out.  Finally, it ends with “The Three Lane Cut,” a track that sticks with the ongoing sound of this record.
 
Overall Street Smart Cyclist’s 2006 seven inch EP is mediocre at best.  It is not that it does not have its moments; it’s just been done before.  In a way, it is a breath of fresh air to know that this vein of emo still pumps blood.  However, it is clear as to why the majority of the bands from the late nineties are doing other things now.  There really is no staying power.  After a few listens of this EP, it just gets boring.  The only thing that saves it for me are the bonus cool points for releasing it on vinyl, but that doesn’t make it good.
 
I give this album two out of five stars.  If you are feeling nostalgic, you’ll get your eight-minute fix, which is probably all you’ll need to tide you over for the next ten years.