Cameron - Pictures Never Taken - Self Released

Review by: Jennifer Perkins

I would say majority of the CDs that wind up in my PO box for review are by bands I have never even heard of. Don’t get me wrong I am always into hearing new music and am grateful to anyone who sends me something to review. However, 9 times out of 10 within moments of popping the CD into the disc player I can tell why I and no one else has ever heard of this band. When I saw Cameron’s Pictures Never Taken in my mail box, a band I had never heard of, I was assuming the same was going to be applicable here. However after a press of the play button I realized Cameron was without a doubt the best band I had never heard of.

Taking the title of best band I have never heard of is no small feat. Cameron’s Pictures Never Taken are 10 diverse sounding songs mixing frenzied hardcore and mellow emo-rock in an all new way. Sure there are elements that remind me of other bands, but unlike others that have come before them Cameron show a lot of originality and have a new take on these overdone sounds. They remind me of all the things I love about bands like The Dismemberment Plan and The Q and Not U. Smart interesting songs with a lot of energy. Lot’s of vocals being spoken rather than sung. Song styles producing feelings ranging from sedation to the idea that you might have your first spontaneous seizure if you keep listening.

The first song on the CD “The Argument” is the best song. It reminds me of that perfect Modest Mouse song “Tundra/Desert” on the Interstate 8 EP. You know the one that breaks into chaotic dance music almost. Cameron manages to conjure up this same feverish combination by making guitars, drums, and a bass sound like Indie/techno. Its enough to get the black haired Emo kids all wound up in a tizzy. Cameron has that whole DC Fugazi influenced sound going on, if they could make every song as intense as this one they would be super stars in the Indie world.

The rest of the CD is good too, although never as good as that first song. Cameron are capable of playing a slow song just as well as they do an upbeat one, songs like “The Perfect Myth” show Cameron’s softer side and augment their Emo prowess. By the time we get around to songs like “End” and “The Unexpected State of Things” they have turned the volume and noisy confusion back up to full blast. High pitched guitars, snare infused drum beats, and the perfect vocalist for the job Cameron really manage to pull the whole thing together.

Congratulations to Cameron for taking the title of best band I have never heard of. You may have never heard of them either before this review, but take it from me with the way this band sounds it is just a matter of time before they are a household names in dorm rooms the world over!