Is artwork an important part of a record? I tend to think so. I am bit old-school and like to listen to a record with the cover in my hand looking at the artwork or reading along with the lyrics. The Carvels NYC must feel the same. Their previous EP Everything With You Is A Travesty had a real gem on the cover. In fact, it was the cover that made me review that EP in the first place. I am happy to see their new EP graced by artwork in the same style. I can only hope they will make sort of a trademark of this, I love it! Let’s see if the new EP is just as likeable as the previous.
After pressing play I thought for 10 seconds I was listening to a very rocky track by the Boss (which I consider to be a good thing). That sax just does that. But then Lynne starts singing and that just changes the whole equation, making it undeniably a The Carvels NYC song. In my review of Everything With You Is A Travesty I said that her voice is the strong selling point for this band. It still is! I also said I was looking forward to more music. The band delivered. Unfortunately only three tracks (although the promo contains two alternative takes of two songs, making it five songs). I am happy with what I find here as the band does what it does best: writing strong and catchy NY punk styled songs. Later Ramones is again coming through heavily in my opinion. Especially the title track and “I Fell In Love With A Dead Boy” are strong material. These songs are upbeat and catchy. They are also incredibly to the point, both staying a mile away from the three minute mark. I hate it when a cool song overstays its welcome, so I applaud The Carvels NYC for keeping things short and tight.
Third song “Scarcity” is a bit slower and more relaxed. It offers a nice platform for Lynne to exhibit her voice, but it just doesn’t do it for me. I like this band so much more when things get a bit more upbeat. I can see this track working just fine if it offers a break from the more upbeat stuff on a whole album. On a three track EP it breaks the nice flow the previous two tracks started. To close the EP with this track makes it fizzle out, which is a shame.
These three new songs are top notch again. I hope this band can keep writing songs this good. I wouldn’t mind a full album. For now I’ll play these two EP’s on repeat for a while.
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