lambchops's Full Review: Notwithstanding by Chalk Farm
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Light, easy, and even at times slightly enjoyable, Chalk FarM was the victim of extremely bad timing. In the mid-1990’s American music was recoiling from the grunge movement. As a result, the newest acts on the scene tended toward a melodic, safe kind of alt-rock.
There were countless acts, most of which proved difficult to delineate. Think about it…there was: Toad The Wet Sprocket, Gin Blossoms, Sister Hazel, Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind, Verve Pipe and Dishwalla among dozens upon dozens of others. This is the group in which Chalk FarM fit. Their music was soft, accessible guitar rock. But even as it entertains, I’m left with a feeling of emptiness. The Los Angeles band seemed to have no particular goal in recording their songs; they are nicely done just on the whole devoid of any real emotion on which to latch.
But Chalk FarM wasn’t any worse than the majority of their now equally forgotten contemporaries. Nothing out the band set them apart in 1996. Not their talent, their look, their attitude…each act hoping to be successful must have something to draw in listeners and that is where Chalk FarM earned a failing grade. Not that their debut is all bad, it just lacks the spark of genius.
Formed in 1993, the LA-based band lasted just seven or eight years before splitting up. Originally a duo, the band consisted of Michael Duff (vocals and guitar) and Orlando Sims (vocals and bass). But soon the two decided that they needed a bigger sound and added Tony Scarbrough (drums) and Trace Ritter (guitar). The four soon earned a record deal with Columbia and within a year the band’s 1996 debut Notwithstanding was released on to the public and critics with little fanfare. It was painfully obvious that Chalk FarM was one of those acts that were finished even before they’d been given a fair chance to start. But in all honestly, the music world was missing out on very little.
Notwithstanding is an average album by all accounts. The songs are fine, the lyrics aren’t bad, and the vocals are decent. But stranded in a sea of numerous similar acts and lacking a lead singer with ken-doll good looks, Chalk FarM today is pretty much a faded memory. The album is also a bit too long, especially considering that in the span of fourteen tracks the band does little to change the pace or equation. Basically, they have the same pace, sound, and miniscule emotion throughout. Thus, I’m bored to death by the band.
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As far as I can tell, two songs from Notwithstanding were released as singles. But just one of those two ever made any particular dent on radio stations. Vaguely, I recall Lie on Lie being played on radio seven (or so) years ago. It didn’t grab me then, heck I didn’t even know who sang the darned thing…a rarity. Apparently, some people liked it…I assume the same people that also enjoyed those aforementioned acts (most of which I never had any use for). Lie on Lie begins in such a way that listeners might expect Dave Gahan to break out with Personal Jesus. Instead, the reward is a wishy-washy alt-rock song. The fourteen songs all make feel as though I’ve been here, and done that before.
The second single, Live Tomorrow reminds me very specifically of Michigan’s own Verve Pipe. The guitars especially, but also the faint forced-accent from in this case lead singer Duff. Everything Chalk FarM does is predictable. A guitar solo here, a repetitive melody there and the traditional mellow alt-rock instruments interspersed throughout all are unconvincing elements.
A few tracks do come off better than others, though most are average or slightly below. Lesson, Hey, Wonder, and The Girl Is Crying could have just as easily been the single hit from Notwithstanding. Some of the tracks are faster, others are slower. But even with the track-to-track tempo changes the band still manages to sound pretty much the same throughout.
It seems that Chalk FarM probably had some talent. The problem was that they lacked an identity and as such couldn’t ever carve out a proper audience or truly gain acceptance in mainstream media. If you’ve heard one song from the band, you’ve heard about all they had to offer in 1996. Notwithstanding is a major disappointment.
Chalk FarM lost their record deal with Columbia following the bad sales of their debut. It took the band some four years to regroup and record their self-produced and released sophomore effort Three 2’s. The album wasn’t widely available, nor did many people buy it. Soon thereafter, in late 2000, Chalk FarM split up in favor of pursuing their own careers.
Rating: 2/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Live Tomorrow
02. Lesson
03. Lie on Lie
04. Hey
05. Lose You Now
06. When Something Becomes Nothing
07. Don't Believe
08. Wonder
09. I'm Awake
10. Lilly Anne
11. It's Up to You
12. The Girl Is Crying
13. Sunflower
14. untitled/hidden
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