The Features - The Beginning

The Beginning came out fall 2003 over in the UK and has just been released in the US as a warm up to The Features' major label debut with Universal Records, Exhibit A, due out this summer. Matt Pelham (guitar/vocals) Roger Dabbs (bass), Parrish Yaw (keyboards) and Rollum Haas (drums) make music that defies pidgeonholing, and they revel in it. For starters, “Walk You Home” sounds like an old-time calliope gone nuts. There are difficult rhythms and horns that just don't sound like they should be going there, but they totally fit. It's music that is hyperactive but not exhausting. And just when you get a grip on the somewhat cacophonous nature of the first two tracks, they sneak in "Bumble Bee." It's insane how it draws you in with a sing-song quality. It almost sound like the Telletubbies should be covering it or something, and then in the middle it takes on an almost Beatlesesque sound. I’m telling you, these guys are really hard to pin down. First singles for a new(ish) band are tricky. Personally, I would have picked "Two by Two" because I think it best shows off the band's overall sound while remaining catchy and accessible. The record company’s choice, however, "The Way It's Meant To Be," is not exactly representative of the rest of their music. At least not what's on this EP. I am afraid that it might sell the band short and turn off people who would really dig what they're doing or give the false impression that this is just another Hot Hot Heat clone. After listening to The Beginning over and over, I can't help thinking how much The Features remind me of Kurt Weil/Bertold Brecht collaborations in certain songs. Ok, nevermind. (Sorry for the obscure German theatre reference.) Really what I’m trying to say is that The Features music is really catchy but has the edge to make it really interesting too. As a friend of mine put it, “They make music this cool in Tennessee?” Yes, Jason, apparently they do. 4/22/04 Just an addendum: I saw The Features live last night as an opening act, and I have to say that while my rating on the EP stands, it really sells their live performance short. On stage, they were tight, in command and completely on. The real power of the songs on the EP comes out in concert, especially the blistering drumming from Rollum. The man clearly drives their performance in the way a great drummer should. If they happen to come to your town, you'd be doing yourself a favor to catch them. Also, their full length CD is due out sometime this fall, so that will mean another tour hopefully as headliners. - m [www.thefeatures.com]