SONGS TO FORGET

When it comes to my first impression of a band's music, it usually only takes me the course of a demo or a couple of songs to decide if they have a sound I like. With that in mind, a strong first demo is a very valuable asset to a band or artist, to the point where it can even make or break their future depending on who listens to it. Fortunately for multi-instrumentalist Chris Van Der Linden and his melancholic art rock project Fourteen Twentysix, my first bout into this act's music has certainly been a pleasant one. Being a one-man endeavour this early on, Van Der Linden has created a very atmospheric and introspective collection of tracks with 'Songs To Forget.' Despite some issues with the execution and a flair for overly saccharine and angsty subject matter, this EP has slowly grown on me and opened me up to a new artist that I have a feeling I'll be hearing alot more of in the time to come.

Listening to this, one must realize this is but a demo; there isn't any support from studio producers to polish the rough edges; only the intuitions of one man. Although the act has since become much more fleshed out as a professional unit, Fourteen Twentysix is surprisingly well produced from the start. Despite not necssarily being polished, there is some skillful work with samplings and ethereal soundscaping that work as a perfect backdrop for the songwriting and performance. The EP opens up with an extended introduction, driven by a thick keyboard layer and some added guitar ambience for good measure. Considering the rest of the album is very song-based and structurally conventional, a five minute bout of soundscaping feels a bit out of place, but generally well-executed. Enter the transition into the songwriting-based portion of 'Find Your Place,' and you can get a good idea of what this music is all about; melancholy, introspection, and a dark but mellow vibe that wraps itself around the entire half hour that makes up 'Songs To Forget.'

The EP really hits it's stride with the second track, 'Waves To Forget.' From here on, the songs are generally very tight, structured and concise, with a possible exception laying with 'Ghost In This World;' a haunting and surreal interlude track. Of the entire half hour, two tracks really stand out. The first of these is the slow and moving 'You Sleep Under The Trees,' which from what I understand, is a live favourite among the band's fans. Some intelligently arranged indutrial percussion and subtle piano work makes the piece really effective. The track also emphasizes the vocal abilities of Chris himself; who has proven that he is a singer capable of carrying emotion well with his voice.

The second highlight of the EP is the questionably titled track 'These Wrists.' Despite having an overtly angsty title, the song is undoubtedly the most catchy and professional offering of the demo. If you can look past the lyrics (which are admittedly too sentimental for my likings), there is some excellent ethereal rock here. The lyrical content is in fact, one of the EP's few very clear weaknesses. While the music is very well done and suits the melancholic direction, the lyrics do not deliver the same desired impact.

'Songs To Forget' is messy and imperfect, but it is charming for all of it's flaws. Having talked to Chris personally about this music, I know that he thinks of this EP amicably, but doesn't hold it even close to the same regards as he does for his more professional work. With that being said, I eagerly await listening to whatever Fourteen Twentysix will produce in the future... A competent debut EP from a talented artist.

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