Raising your hands over your head while screaming along the rails on your favorite roller coaster is an instant rush of excitement and sometimes an unforgettable shock to your system. Absorbing each note of Traveling Show, from New York’s The Art of Shooting is not only a roller coaster ride of heart and mind, but also the most honest and exciting recording I have heard in years. Kelley Irene Corson (guitar/vocals), Jim Archer (drums), and Julie Rozansky deliver unique but powerful music, which as a listener makes me very grateful.
The first track, “Drinking and Dressing” comes at you with the lyrical sharpness of an axe with equally blunt vocals making your heart almost stop cold with its darkness. There are a lot of rooms in this large musical house and each one is explored completely. “It goes (home)” bounces the lively vocal beginning onward through a dark mysterious journey. The vocals hold an excellent mood very reminiscent of Siouxsie Sioux or Tribe’s Janet Lavalley while staying strong and powerful. It builds with sharp punches and the vocals soar wickedly.
The mystical “One minute love song” has a nice mix of innocence and underlying sadness. Nice guitar floats effortlessly over drifting clouds of sound. Corson’s vocals capture your heart with endearing and lovely tone, as you get completely lost in her voice. “Orange” is honest, raw, and fearlessly tears into the nervous system like no other song I’ve heard in years. Its powerful, angry delivery is real and has razor sharp accuracy as it attacks the heart. The vocals are the weapon of choice in this song and there is no doubt that Corson feels every note. The staggering drum sounds and guitar are passionately delivered.
“No one two” has a haunting beginning leading into distant vocal. The sounds and spacious effects waltz you through the air like a thick fog overcoming a large expanse of land. Nice builds unleash an explosion of guitar and rhythmic whirlwinds brilliantly. “The Birdcage” has a pounding start, but tricks the listener into believing that the song will remain on a straight and narrow path. Just when your feet are comfortably stomping and your fist is raised, the mood changes intelligently. It is a well-constructed song with a perfect blend of salty and sweet. The title track, “Traveling Show” is a great symphony of tone and rhythm with explosions of mood and musical genius. Like an epic battle in slow motion, this piece is larger than life, impressive and close to unbelievable.
Another song with a haunting beginning, “The Keeper” takes Corson’s vocals on a ride atop waves of bass, sharp guitar, and military drumming all while a childlike rain of subtle accents sneak in through the back door. Like a band of attackers galloping over a distant hill, “120 Man” thrusts forward dark spirited and threatening. It forces the adrenalin to pump viciously through the listener’s body. Immense in scope and violent until the end, it is two minutes and forty-two seconds of wonderful mayhem. “Japanese” takes its sweet, simple guitar strums and introduces the listener to four minutes of masterfully washed vocal, guitar and deep bass. Again, reminiscent of songs by Bettie Serveert, Tribe, and Galaxie 500, we taste the fruits of another epic composition. After giving us an album filled with large portions of skillful creativity, we conclude with the punk flavored “Pet” which shows that this band can turn it up to eleven without breaking a sweat. The beauty of this release is behind the blatant honesty and unique spirit each note provides. The Art of Shooting is a name to remember.
"Traveling Show" is on sale April 27, 2010 from Self-Released.
