Maskil
Alta Products
True Tunes Records
2001

It's hard to be honest when you're reviewing an album that has your name in the thank you's. Maskil is an independent folk band hailing from the Midwest. Aaron Everitt is the core of the band, which has been shaped in the past few years by a changing roster. I first saw Maskil perform in the most indie band of ways: they showed up to cap off an obscure talent show at a local college. At the time Maskil was just an acoustic and bass guitar, a combination born out of necessity that was both unique and wonderful. Maskil recorded a few tracks for my college radio show, and I've been in contact with them since.

Despite my connection, I have to be honest. Alta Products is a disappointment. It's an experiment, a step of faith, for Maskil--and one that didn't quite work. The Maskil I know and love is built on simplicity: poetic and reflective words set to unassuming music that draws you in with its simplicity. You're allowed to marvel at each pluck of the guitar, each subtle thump of the bass. And that simple musical structure highlights the personal, Midwestern lyrics that drip with thoughts of home and God and place.

While their latest release has the signature poetic lyrics, it also has a much more diverse range of instrumentation, and it rarely comes together like it should. Organ, piano, drums, electric guitar, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and Everitt's humble voice all jumble together and vie for your attention. At times the extra instruments sound forced and fragmented from the vocals. It comes across as amateurish.

The folk/funk 'Child of the West' has slow, funk-influenced verses that ruin a promising chorus. 'Psalm 139' is a beautiful praise song that never rises like it should. Again and again the music just doesn't fit the vocals. The result is disappointing.

There are a few moments where it all comes together and you get a glimpse of the Maskil I know. In 'Canada Sky' the instruments become unassuming and melt into the vocals, creating the perfect mood. With lines like "If there's books that people won't read / There's already too many words without me," you feel the passion of Everitt's lyrics. The organ shines in 'Bighorn Mountain,' but only because it doesn't try to steal the show (until the jam-band ending). The images and the instruments come together and the song works. 'Tongue River Wind' is another soft folk song where the intelligent lyrics ("Time flies when you're having life") don't have to fight the music. 'Central Time' is an interesting experiment with its faced paced strumming. With a little more refinement it could be a success.

The music is very much like the CD's packaging: interesting sketches fill the pages of the liner notes, but they've all been touched up with computer graphics. The combination just doesn't work. I hope someone is able to see the potential in Maskil and save them from this not-so successful experiment. (Kevin H.)