Ivan Campo - Demo

Ivan Campo - Demo

Tracklisting:
1. Darkman/Sunshine (MP3 56kbps)
2. Clockshopman
3. Sweet Sweet Music (MP3 56kbps)
4. Chow Ming
5. Faceless Army
6. Madagascar
7. Lets Hook Up and Dream 2gether


Nobody can deny that Preston's music scene is currently thriving, with any number of metal, indie and punk bands jamming venues' gig-lists and local webspace. However, away from the clawing, grasping, gasping torment that can be the world of promotion and gigging, Ivan Campo have recorded a light-hearted, laid back EP that could turn out to be the soundtrack of your autumn, and maybe winter as well.

All seven tracks are predominantly acoustic, and bring together soft, tuneful melodies and thoughtful retrospective lyrics. On first listen, instant comparisons can be made with Shack, Gomez and a lemonhead-less Evan Dando.

Pure simplicity

One of the first things that strikes you during opener Darkman/Sunshine is the pure simplicity of Campo's sound, beginning with just a snappy, bluesy, acoustic riff complemented by lazy, husky whisper-like vocals, before kicking in with bongos and a bassline. Clockshopman takes the simplicity theme a step further providing only a finger-click as backing to the final lines on the song.

Although uncomplicated and effortlessly honest, the sheer slenderness of Ivan Campo's sound can begin to drag, as it seems there is to be no stand-out track of the collection. Luckily for the listener, but probably by design, the CD's fourth and central track is all change as Chow Ming opens with a gentle, trickling keyboard intro, that sets the melancholic tone for the rest of the track, offering a welcome break from the steady acoustic flavour set out by the rest of the record.

Rolling and swaying

Faceless army denotes a slightly darker, poignant side to Campo's music, with a neverending fickerpicking riff rolling and swaying throughout the song, under the dim, deep hum of the vocals: 'Can you keep up the pace 'cos we're now being chased, their army is growing they all have no face. You've something to tell me it's always the case, but this my friend is neither the time or the place.'

Titled 'Clippings 2', the CD is not the ideal thing to listen to before a night on the town, but comes together as beautifully a crafted, relaxing composite of lonely evening songs that surely anybody can appreciate. Clippings 3 is apparently nearing completion so we should await with bated breath.

Written by Dan Jeoffroy

Gecko: ivancampo.net