Music Reviews
Calla

Calla Calla

(Arena Rock Recording Co.) Rating - 6/10

Calla made a name for themselves last year with the deliciously moody Televise, garnering major critical acclaim as well as tours with other sombre acts like Interpol and Longwave. Now after five years, their debut album, originally released on the tiny Sub Rosa label, is given proper treatment by their current label that includes three bonus live tracks.

Initial reactions are that this is a completely different atmosphere than the slow rock leanings of Televise. Calla reveals the band as an innovative, avant-rock outfit and much more adventurous than modern day. Shuffling objects, keys typing, glitches and a slew of white noise are the substantial components of this album. Aurelio Valle's whispering vocals are kept to an extreme minimum, leaving a large part of the album to suffer from dim instrumentals. Only Trinidad and Awake & Under really show traces of the band we know of today.

Though it appears the band has taken a step back as far as progression goes (I guess that would be "regression", wouldn't it?), Calla seems a lot more interesting and accessible the way they are now. I guess we know why their third record made the breakthrough instead of the debut.