Review: Balance and Composure - Only Boundaries

Label: No Sleep Records

Released: August 11, 2009

I love when a record is really busy, but doesn't get lost in the busyness. On the four song Only Boundaries, Balance and Composure fully live up to their name, balancing intricacies with listenable sensibility and remaining composed while the music swirls. "I Can't Do This Alone" combines a tribal rhythm with echoey guitar and yearning vocals into a song that pleads its case with both calm and determination . "Show Your Face" is reminiscent of Peter Cortner-era Dag Nasty, coupling earnest honesty with a desire to push the music beyond traditional limits. They accomplish the latter with considerable success, not just on this song, but throughout the record. Only Boundaries meets the challenges of exploration while leaving enough that's familiar to embrace.

No Sleep Records pressed 500 of these on black vinyl and the first 100 have a silk-screened b-side. It's a nice cover worthy of all of its 12 inches. For convenience, they throw in a CD copy as well.

Ratings
Satriani: 7/10
Zappa: 7/10
Dylan: 7/10
Aretha: 8/10
Overall: 7/10

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