Todd Congelliere
People in the Sand 7” EP
Ol’ Tennis Shoes
The phrase “solo acoustic” makes me cringe. I picture that guy at a party strumming
away in the corner of the living room, imposing his despair on everyone. He’s got the metaphors that make you
reconsider your stance on warfare. Or maybe I’m just thinking of that scene in Animal House. Either
way it’s not the case with People in the
Sand. First of all, relocate
the guy with the guitar to a beach, probably at dusk, after a long day (as
opposed to dawn, this EP is more sun-drenched than sleep-deprived). He’s got the acoustic guitar and the
despair but he’s grinning, facing the surf and setting sun. If anyone else tunes in that’s fine,
but not necessary. External
feedback is secondary. Also, he’s
surrounded by other instruments—organ, toy piano, empty bottles (there might be
an accordion)—looks like a yardsale. Either that or his buddies are floating in and out of the scene,
wandering through with various instruments, tinkering on a song and then
passing out. Don’t ask where they
plug in the organ. Feel free to
ask, however, if these tracks sounds like quiet versions of Todd’s other bands
(Toys That Kill, Underground Railroad to Candyland, FYP). They don’t. They’re still catchy, still marked by Todd’s wonderfully
distinctive vocals, but they’re slower, gentler, like a light rain that makes
you walk slower rather than run inside. A corny comparison, I know, but you just read 200+ words about a solo
acoustic record, you can handle it.
— Mike Faloon
