The Life and Times - Flat End of the Earth

Allen Epley, who I consider a king of Midwestern indie rock (he headed the long-extinct Shiner with vocal/guitar magic), tries to reposition himself on the throne with a new band and a new album. Formed shortly after the demise of aforementioned Shiner, The Life and Times seemed almost like a last-minute jam session but has spawned a stunning six-song EP, The Flat End of the Earth. Epley collaborates with Someday I’s John Meredith and Mike Myers (of The String and Return) for bass and drum duties respectively. The disc leads with “Raisin in the Sun,” the perfect sign that it’s going to be an interesting journey. Meredith sends his bass intermingling with Epley’s voice and delivers with ease. The tune “Houdini” seems a mournful nocturne, reminiscent of one who’s slept half his life away, with lyrics that sigh breathlessly. There are ooh’s and aah’s sung in silent wonder as if they are ghosts of that lost day. “Movies and Books” could quite possibly be the most exciting song on the disc, with instruments working together to build a rock monument and engraved with a chorus one catches quicker than a cold: “And I could complicate you/In ways you can’t relate to/And I could steal your halo/And keep it under my pillow”. Has Epley lost his lyrical flair? Hardly. The mood quickly changes when “Servo” and “Flat End of the Earth” arrive and wrap-up the album in all their gloomy wonder. The title track introduces itself with barely-there vocals, keys, and violin, but awakens with razorblade guitars backed by Myers’s measured and balanced drumming. He marches in like a drummer boy leading his troops to victory, Meredith intervenes with a rhythmic-divine and Epley’s voice floats assonantly. Then, it all erupts—swelling, cascading, and finally coming to rest in one hushed crash of the cymbal. Fin. Though two messengers have changed, the message remains the same. Eric Abert, of prog-rock princes Ring, Cicada from St. Louis, has filled bass duties, and drum responsibilities have been established with Stella Link’s Chris Metcalf. For their second release and first full-length, due out on the newly revived Desoto Records, The Times have decided not to employ the help of friend and producer J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Challenger) due to time and budget constraints…and that’s just fine. Instead, they’ve decided to engineer, mix, and produce the album themselves, along with the enlisted skills of long-time friend and former Shiner bassist, Paul Malinowski. They will record at GWRR in mid-November. Also, look for TLAT on the much-anticipated Jawbox Tribute Compilation (featuring Actionslacks, Retisonic, and Colossal). Finally, this elusive bunch will be putting on the ritz this fall with five shows lined-up, bringing new and familiar tunes to cities throughout the Midwest. Children, Flat End of the Earth satisfies your auditory appetite. Some have discredited the band, going deaf and confused in all the comparing and contrasting to Epley’s old band. Lest we forget, this is a new band trying to find their niche and members whose visions are similar. If the tunes are reminiscent of The Egg, it’s only because, I feel, this is Epley’s and TLAT’s venture into the familiar unknown. But never fear…the king and his court are here. [www.thelifeandtimes.com]