Label: Ace Fu Records

Release Date: September 3, 2003

Soundtrak - s/t
Matthew Ralph

Jorge Gonzalez, the sweeping voice that carries Soundtrak on their debut release, is certainly no stranger to music fans from Philadelphia to New York City. His latest project adds to his already impressive list of accomplishments in Ink and Dagger, The Series (with members of Delta 72), and the Interpreters.

While his voice is perhaps the first noticeable factor that stands out to the listener on this six-song EP, what ultimately keeps the listener interested and this band one to watch over the course of the next year, is their polished sound. With an obvious leaning toward what they called college rock in the '80s — you know the movement that U2, R.E.M., and the Replacements were lumped into — Soundtrak relies heavily on Gonzalez' expressive vocals and the dueling guitar of Paul Jenkins.

With "Available Memory" the group carefully builds these elements only to unleash the sound in full force with catchy driving guitar lines and steady drumming.

Lyrically, we find Gonzalez in soul-searching mode on "Hardest Day." "I have not been the same since you called my name and you found me, the arms of grace surround me now," he sings. "Latest Craze" is quick in pace from the onset but gets a little carried away toward the end trying to be fancy and clever. "Let Go" continues to impress with its passionate delivery.

"Curtains" closes the 22-minute disc off in memorable fashion. Not taking away from the tracks leading up to it, this song carries the record and is one for the downloaders out there to get their hands on. It could very easily find itself on the Doves' Last Broadcast, one of the more impressive albums of 2002, with its sweeping sound and intricate guitars that blend nicely with all of the elements already mentioned. As the line "I will not dance, because I'm so different, so different than you" is sung, it's not too difficult to picture this band on some big outdoor stage with the crowd waving their arms in a frenzy. One down side though is that once the song takes off and really hooks you, it seems to end abruptly.

While I still would be suspect of the hype that is most likely gathering as we speak for this band, their debut is certainly a positive indication that they have a shot at sticking around longer than the latest trend/fad/fascination with all things related to a previous generation of British pop, which if I'm counting right was about two invasions ago.

posted 09.20.03

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Matt Ralph has bags full of bad CD's. Add to his collection at matt@tangzine.com

2002 White Elephant Productions