EP Review: Automatic Drawing, “The Captain and the Sea”

Automatic Drawing‘s sophomore EP, “The Captain and the Sea“, is comprised of a friendly and familiar style – rather nouveau-Weezer-meets-Snow-Patrol – endearing in its underestimated simplicity, yet with as much ability to be as all-encompassing as any poptastic or faux-rock production.

Sans unnecessary elements of overwhelming bravado and choreography, the Los Angeles-based band formerly known as Streets on Fire makes splendid use of ample talent – Drew Kirkpatrick on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Rachel Koukal on vocals, piano, and ukulele; Diana Salier on guitar; Sarah Hithe on bass; and John Efe on drums – enough to make an indelible impression upon an established fan or genuine newbie.

Prevalent throughout is a degree of lyrical ambiguity, with the potential of leaving listeners identifying with what’s been said, or leaving them seeking for relevance. In either case, by allowing such terms of phrase to flourish with interludes tailor-made to their respective tracks, there is more than enough room to make an interpretation and run. The EP’s title track is calming as much as it is a reminder of the waking life within our selves, as much as it is within the watery deep. And with mention of stark relative truths – “Forty-hundred people fell into love like a hotel, but they never seem to stay” (“We’re Not From This Town”) and “Words, they drop from my mouth; they fall to your ears, and every time I try to talk they don’t work” (“The War”) – it’s a little difficult not to wonder what else might be hidden behind the verses the band has decided to share with the public.

Automatic Drawing’s “The Captain and the Sea EP” will be available for your listening pleasure on Friday, October 17 – which should be available for purchase at their corresponding show at The Derby. If the anticipation is too much to handle, pay the band a visit at the world-famous Viper Room, this coming Saturday, October 11.

Photo via Myspace