Review by Rachel Jablonski
Midwest based I:scintilla is certainly a fortuitous and captivating discovery. The electronic band from Illinois is a striking four-piece that has produced an impressive independent debut entitled The Approach. Alternating between a crisp in your face feel and softer distant moods, the musical integrity of the album is greatly enhanced by excellent production, particularly for an independent release. The mix is enrichment for deliberate musical fades, intros, and builds created by brisk guitars, programmed drums and effects, and great lyrical melodies.
To set the album in motion a low stir, sounding like a series of distant crashes, is introduced. Soft, smooth tones chime in overtop the rumble and resound like a choir in unison. A piano sequence is added to the blend as well triggering distraction from the distant resonance. As the song moves on, the combination of sounds remain distinct, yet unite as they seem to become one solid entity linearly and physically moving straight toward the listener. Just as fast as the music approaches, however, it retreats again slowly sounding further and further away with less intensity and lower volume. I feel as if I am in a dark cave with dirt floors and walls looking straight ahead into the darkness. I am stiff with confusion and anticipation. I hear sound in the distance, it slowly moves towards me as I stand in shock. Briefly, the entity reaches me and then, to my surprise, passes on further into the darkness of the cave. To put it simply, this piece is full of potential imagery and interpretation which is a great way to approach appeal for the rest of the album.
“Imitation” might very well be the most intriguing track on the album. A great riff consisting of heavy, crunchy guitars saturates the song setting the fast paced tempo and furious mood. Programmed drums provide addicting beats and a great display of programmed effects add an electronic element to the overall song complexity. The methods are effective giving the listener a contemplative earful. Singer Brittany Bindrim is in full force with avid lyrics and vocal patterns. The song has a ranting feel with continuous, unbroken lyrical flow rising in tempo with verse progression. A passionate climax explodes at the chorus reaffirming the theme of the song through great melody. Go play off another cliché call it all your own I’ll hold onto the things that you’ve never known. A temporary interlude shifts the song into a slower tempo and altered mood. The music is distant in the background with the soft, soothing sounds of the synth. The vocals dominate the break with whispers. You won’t find it here. Overall, the song demonstrates the dynamics of the band and the full range of their abilities.
Through driving beats, inventive effects, charismatic vocals, and appreciable guitar work, I:scintilla has creatively shaped an array of musical pieces. With some solely electronic songs, many hasty guitar parts, dark moods, songs with a lighter feel, and active melodies, I:scintilla is on the approach of being a distinguished electronic rock band.