Artist: Terramara
CD: Four Blocks To Hennepin
Home: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Style: Indie Rock
Quote: "Since Prince & Morris Day have cooled their jets, I wouldn’t
mind if Minneapolis let us have at these guys for a bit."
By Derek Blackmon
Infecting the Twin Cities with catchy melodies and some radio friendly songs,
Terramara must be sitting back patiently waiting for the call that will propel
them into our collective unconscious. It has to be that simple because there’s
certainly no other reason to avoid them. It’s possible to mistake Four
Blocks To Hennepin for something inspired by piano based 80’s pop or
the aftermath of Bruce Hornsby & The Range. Granted Hornsby may be more
classically trained and as of late appears to be resting on his laurels, so
remember that inspiration falls from the past not from the present.
Comparisons to Five for Fighting may sound accurate but Terramara aren’t
nearly as boring, just less well-known. The only real drawback to this sound
is how easily it is to become mired in the familiar. Coldplay has become guilty
of this, but a constructive message makes for a justifiable dip in the familiarity
pool.
“Rise & Fall” sounds like something Colin Hay might write for
a Men at Work reunion tour. (For clarification purposes, I should point out
that Colin & The Boys deserve a bit more respect than they’ve probably
received!) “Wooden Man” takes a nice fat potshot at all things bogus.
Any song that refers to The Man as a sell out is fine by me. Follow that with
“Invisible People” about homelessness and the lack of compassion bestowed
upon those who inhabit our alleys, park benches, and open stairwells. Interesting,
in that it’s the first time a song has made me wonder why someone in their
right mind would choose to live in a cardboard box over the comfort of a cozy
apartment or a simple divan.
“Goodbye” plays out as the weak link here. Simply written and dwelling
on old love, it may not have the potential that the other tracks offer, but
it’s here nonetheless and there’s not much we can do about it now.
“Outrunning Headlights” gets the nod for best track. Stark and somehow
still elegant, if this isn’t featured somewhere for the masses to enjoy
soon, I’ll be finally convinced that all good music must be first scrutinized
by the Devil himself.
My primary goals in this world are to find a good melon within walking distance
of my home and continue to fight the good fight against the corporate masking
of what constitutes good music. Considering the closest fruit stand is seven
miles away, I’ll just continue the crusade against The Man. Terramara are
viable and since Prince & Morris Day have cooled their jets, I wouldn’t
mind if Minneapolis let us have at these guys for a bit.
http://www.terramara.com
