Anything that Comes to Mind is the debut release of the foursome Epigram, a band name partially leaning toward a word that is thrown around quite often when it comes to describing - or reviewing - music, epic. But a stroll on the internet learns us that an epigram is a short statement that makes an interesting, frequently profound, observation about life or the world. Rather than cutting and pasting some hip post-rock-ish words together and form another band name like there are already thirteen in a dozen, this Toronto outfit chose for a name that somewhat stands out in the crowd. Once you've heard it twice I highly doubt that you'd forget the band name, rather essential if you want people to drop your name. Obviously in order to be a band, more is needed, however. The band's line-up consists out of the classic drummer, bassist and two guitar players, again nothing noticeable except maybe that they've had a guest appearance by Julie Lee on violin for the recording. So let's find out what makes this 45 minute debut stand out... whilst trying to avoid the word epic for obvious reasons.
The opening track "The Beginning of Anything" is not a kick-starter but a smooth swelling of Epigram's signature sounds - think of it as the slumbering state one might experience on lazy Sunday. A state of laziness you will gladly drag along throughout a day with nothing planned, nowhere to be, where anything goes as long as it doesn't endanger the windfall of blissful nothingness. Clouds of overhead drums, rays of sliding guitars, cobblestone baselines and minimal string pickings form the key ingredients of the seven instrumental tracks on Anything that Comes to Mind. They are basic, yet broadly applicable components when used in a playful, cascading manner as Epigram does. There are no dark, vigorous passages threatening to rain on the parade, only captivating variations in the recipe that conform with the thirteen-in-a-dozen song structures as they go around in the post-rock scene.
If it where another band or album, I might frown upon these structures but these make Anything that Comes to Mind all that more digestible. At first listen you will feel where the contrasts of resting and climaxing pieces are to be found, ideal to entice from the start. "Always an Uncomfortable Silence" is the perfect example of these contrasts, warm ambience in the back and delightful minimal guitars picking away on the swelling bass and drums until they suddenly explode in a climax of post-rock surging waves. The dauntless slide guitar riding the heights of the album do have a sagacious impact on the overall sound, but once acclimatized to its omnipresence in the tidal waves of fluid post-rock, it all makes sense.
On my first listen of the album I feared that there wasn't much depth to be found in the release, but the truth is that each time I get to the closing tracks "Nostradamus" and "This is Not Where We Are Supposed to Be", I get this gut feeling this band has more up there sleeve then they are showing on Anything that Comes to Mind. Perhaps it's wishful thinking that this band will rise above itself with their follow up, but consider this. Both the title of the album and its opening track ("The Beginning of Anything") are always pointing in a direction yet leave plenty of room for (re-)interpretation. The two closing tracks especially are referring more to what "can be" than "what is." The additional violin on the closing track may be just one additional instrument, but it is a massive added value to the composition, one that begs for more. I'm not willing to make any comparisons with established bands, but what if these titles have a deeper meaning to them?
Considering that this band was formed in the spring of 2007 and had an full length album ready to ship about 18 months later, that they've already shared the stage withCaspian, Nadja, and other names that will most likely ring a bell, I'm willing to believe that this band has a bright future ahead, if they're able to get past the biggest obstacle a band can encounter - the follow up album.
-Jurgen Verhasselt