At The Close Of Every Day
If You Spoke To Me
By Cade Loven

Vokoren Records, August 2003
Style: Pop/Folk/Jazz
Rating: 2/5

At The Close Of Every Day is a band from Belgium who’s main accomplishment in the States was their album “Arid” in 2000. I’m afraid I can’t give much information on them since the primary language on their website is either French, Dutch or German, none of which I speak. My apologies. “If You Spoke To Me” is not a full length album, it only has four songs on it. In some ways, I’m glad.

Musically:
The album is not entirely unpleasant, it just seems pointless. Call me desensitized, but there is so little stimulation in these guy’s music that just four songs can seem like an eternity. All four songs sound almost exactly the same. I have a hard time describing what the music feels and sounds like, except…intimate; and this is truly one of the most intimate albums I have ever heard. It’s very deep, but not all that interesting. It starts with “The Jesus Heart”, an upbeat track which like the rest, just falls flat. Part of the problem is the drumming is so rhythmically challenged. The guitar work is decent, and probably the saving grace of the album (why it still has 2 stars from me). Very remeniscent of Matt Slocum (SixpenceNTR), though not on the same level of skill. “My Private Disabled Place,” has a bit more of a jazz flavor to it. The title track “If You Spoke To Me” is the best song on the album. It has a pleasant melody to it, and is actually a good listen in some places. The final track “Happiness Of A Son” almost puts me to sleep when I hear it. The album as a whole is either an lesson in the differences in taste between the U.S. and Belgium, or a sad example of lazy songwriting. The mixing and engineering is very raw and organic which in some cases is commendable, but in this case, it just sounds like inconsistent mush to me.

Lyrically/Vocally:
The vocals are decent, but not original, or even that interesting. Most of the time, the vocals are mixed so low, that I cannot even hear them. They’re almost an afterthought, like the rest of the instrumentation. The lyrics however are many steps above the music itself, and deserve much much better. Their Christian spirituality is very apparent. As far as what level of spirituality, I’d compare it to Jars Of Clay (though of course, Jars’ lyrics are better). “The Jesus Heart” is about the joy and hardships that jointly come from loving the Lord. “If You Spoke To Me” deals with the need for communication with God; a heartfelt prayer from someone who doubts, but still longs for connection. “Happiness Of A Son” is a little tense, dealing with the emotional gaps between a father and a son. Very cool to read, and sometimes very vague, but, it could be worse.

I’m not comfortable being one who has negative things to say about a musician’s work, but I tried very hard to like this album. Normally, intimacy is a good thing, but If You Spoke To Me is so out there, and odd that it almost becomes self centered. Yes, the purpose of art is for the artist’s expression, but what’s the point if no one else understands it?