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.

Once again, thanks to that wise decision of opening a section where musicians can ask for reviews, I noticed a band named Fourteen Twenty Six. Without knowing anything about it, what caught my attention was the name, whose origin I still don't know, maybe I´ll ask later. This project can be considered actually as one-man band, because Chris van der Linden is the man behind this, a very talented Dutch multi-instrumentalist.

If you go to Fourteen Twenty Six site or last.fm, you can enjoy some of his music, and believe me, these kinds of facilities are worth checking, we have to take advantage of it. His debut EP entitled "Songs to Forget" was released in 2009, so he is a relatively new artist, but with a big and promising future; that title, does not really reflect what the music offers, there are no forgettable songs.

This EP consists of seven compositions. The first one is entitled "Waves to Forget", and forgive me Chris, but since the first seconds I could not help but thinking of Thom Yorke's solo album, because both, the vocals (in moments) and the music (also in moments) reminding me to some of his passages. Maybe I am being harsh by saying this at the beginning of my review, but it was my first impression. But well, do not judge before listening, with this, I, by no means, am saying this is a Yorke's copycat, not at all, Fourteen twenty Six compositions are original and interesting, but he might have been an inspiration, though.

"Find Your Place" is the longest composition, a ten-minute track that offers a variety of textures and nuances, even, If you close your eyes you can create images and colors. The atmosphere in the first minutes is quite intriguing, with soft touches which makes it sound gentler, but with a semi-dark feeling. While the minutes pass, we can feel how the song progresses and finds a climax. Until minute four, some voices can be heard for an instant and then the song slows down, delicate acoustic guitar, and seconds later Chris' vocals appear. Three minutes more and it changes again, creating a brand new atmosphere. Quite interesting song!

"Ghost in this World" is just a short passage, a one minute piece that works as the prelude of the next song. So now it is "You Sleep Under the Trees", a pretty nice, soft and gentle track that starts with piano and seconds later vocals appear, accompanied by electronic drums. The sound of this song is great, I also live his guitars, because he put them in the right moment.

When you think the same song is still sounding, you realize that is a brand new, called "Dead Lights", whose rhythm might be alike to the previous one, but this time only acoustic guitars and vocals begin together. Little by little, other elements such as drums and electric guitar appear, so the song gradually progresses. In moments it slows down, so does my mood.

"These Wrists" is more electronic oriented, I am terrible at labeling but with this electronic sound, I sometimes think It could be named trip hop, but don't pay attention to me. Here, I though again of Thom Yorke's The Eraser. And this is actually one of my less favorite songs off this EP.

"When the Heart Dies" begins with acoustic guitar, the first seconds remind me to Floyd's "Googbye Blue Sky" haha, but it has nothing to do. This is a semi acoustic melancholic track, which shares sadness, I listen to it with good headphones, and it provokes something on me. The last part of the song becomes heavier with some distorted guitar, pain and sorrow is what it produces.

Check out Fourteen Twenty Six, he is a very talented musician with a promising future. I like this EP and I have been listening to it quite often since I discover it. However, I do not consider it an outstanding album, now I am eagerly waiting for his "Lighttown Closure" album, I am sure it is more complete and strong. My final grade is three stars.

Enjoy it!