Saturday, April 6, 2013

Album Review: Cartoon Ideas by Scott Skopec.

As soon as the first track started playing, the evolution of Scott Skopec was obvious. It had been well over a year since the last time I heard him play. In a frosty garage in his backyard with his former band, Chemical Eyes(with Sean Tomsha and Richard Gibbons). I was about to depart Elgin, Illinois for Las Vegas, and thus was privileged, along with my musical partner at the time(Spencer Morton), to watch them in action during band practice.

Chemical Eyes was aggressive and minimalistic with a hard edge, and Cartoon Ideas is anything but. It feels as if Skopec has gone through either some great tragedy or triumph, coming to an epiphany and maturing greatly in the process.

Gone are the shiny mirrors, dirty people, and streetwalkers, and present is something very personal and very atmospheric. It is melancholic at times, and very happy when you would least expect it. Themes ranging from social philosophy to current events, from Sandy Hook to a lost loved one, from figuring out life to “selling out”.

Scott has seemingly stepped away from the his “urban blues” and found himself caught in something that is three parts alternative, two parts folk, and two and a half parts minimalistic electronica, with tiny bits of Americana sprinkled here and there. His roots are still present, set firmly in the same soil in which they were first planted, but the tree has grown.


Cartoon Ideas flows like a stretched out piece of chewed bubble gum; while thickest at both ends, it is delicious all the way through; the first three and last four songs are what really make this album the treasure that it is. The opening track, Back Monkeys, was one he had been playing for a while, by himself and with Chemical Eyes, but was hardly recognizable. The opening synths and the harmonica which soon follows really show the difference between now and before.

Here is a breakdown of the tracks that stood out to me the most

Back Monkeys – was a great song and still is a great song. Reincarnated with new, folk rock wings while still holding onto the alternative core, Back Monkeys is one of the best tracks off the album.

Get There – Another one of my favorite tracks. The song reminds me of clenched teeth and like much of the album, has a sort of sadness present.

Bend Upon the Binding – One of the most personal tracks on the album, and is almost my favorite. It isn't as obviously great, but I find myself appreciating it more and more with time. Like most of the album it is driven by (mostly)clean guitar chords, and simple, but well composed synth lines.

Volume One – A fun track. Utilized piano and high pitched synths well and comes off really retro. I am not sure what the song is actually about, but it doesn't matter, for Skopec's intention can be heard in the melody alone.

Extra Faded – Another song that has been around for some time. Very minimalistic, driven primarily by a simple synth progression and Scopec's heart-on-sleeve vocals with a guitar playing softly in the background which seems to get louder as the song goes on.

Relic – One of the more experimental and political songs on the album. Referencing school shootings and the Israel conflict, and containing very wild vocal lines and old school synths. The song is good, but could have been better. I really think it contains the most powerful vocal chorus on the album, but the production and instrumentation, which is top notch throughout the song, doesn't bring out the full potential. That said, Relic is a great song.

Parasital – A song that reminds me for some reason of Bob Dylan in the early 70s. Not really the style, but the subject matter is like Dylan responding to those who would call him Judas or a betrayer. Parasital contains my favorite lyrics on the album and is very solid.

Frankie Boy – A song that really stands out. Instrumentally it is probably the strongest of CI, and emotionally it effectively can make one shed tears both of sadness and of joy, at the same time. I am not sure who Frankie is, and I don't need to, to feel the power of this song. It also contains the best singing on the record.

Life – A great way to follow Frankie Boy. Life is fun and is a song about finding and searching and contending with the puzzles we are constantly bombarded with, a song we can all relate too. It sounds great as well!

What Could – “I could have been with you” If I had to pic out the four seconds which stand out the most on this album, it is the first time you hear this line on this track. Another song that really stands out. It showcases both Skopec's rhythm and lead guitar-work. Compositionally it is one of the most effective and accessible on Cartoon Ideas.

Bucket List – A very good way to end an album. Thick synth lines and catchy guitar. It is sad and once again brings me to compare Skopec with Dylan. Again, not in terms of style, but because of a rain like quality Skopec's music possesses.


In the end, Cartoon ideas is effective in establishing Skopec; who he is and what potential he possesses. He can sing, he can play more than a couple instruments, and he can write some damn good songs. Not only can you hear Scott's talent overflowing over fourteen solid tracks, you can hear his soul, and you can't just hear it, you can feel it! It is erupting. The volcano that is Scott Skopec is active and I can only hope to hear more.

No comments:

Post a Comment