this flag signals goodbye review

review taken from cmj online

Louis Miller

Swearing At Motorists duo Dave Doughman and Joseph Siwinski bring the latest of their doleful, lo-fi gems with the endearingly casual This Flag Signals Goodbye. These 14 tracks run the gamut from aggressive, sweat-ridden and distorted rockers to folk-tinged tunes to 30-second musical asides featuring acoustic guitars, tambourines and banjos. Sure, the Guided By Voices and Built To Spill comparisons will abound, but S@M is much more than just another copycat band. The pair does more with just a guitar and drum kit than most could accomplish with a full four-piece band. The title track finds palm-muted guitar chugs with light Rhodes layers while Doughman's robust tenor conveys some parting consolation. "The Real Thing" is a free-form rollercoaster of dynamics and tempo; the song explodes with tense guitars and stuttering snare-beats before falling into a morose, hushed verse of gentle instrumentation, only to be swept away again by distortion and angst. This Flag Signals Goodbye's mopey songs could easily bring rest to the weary and healing to the brokenhearted.

discography | reviews | lyrics

for questions or comments contact: webmaster@swearingatmotorists.com