Cursive Burst & Bloom EP

[Saddle Creek; 2001]

Rating: 3.5/5

Styles: indie rock, post-punk
Others: Burning Airlines, Fugazi, The Good Life


Ah, Cursive. You've been with us for a while by now, and though you've never reinvented yourself, you are still welcome. Your Nebraska-grown "hard emo" is, to quote a venue's capsule, "dizzingly anthemic". Singer/guitarist Tim Kasher's voice is characterized by a tone so roughed-up that he seems to have difficulty annunciating at times. That's pain, baby. The band's constantly improving dual-guitar musicianship and memorable songwriting make Cursive one of the most exciting bands in the "dizzingly anthemic" emo vein, and this latest EP serves as a document of just such growth. Burst & Bloom contains 5 new songs, the strongest of which are "The Great Decay" and "Mothership, Mothership, Do You Read Me?". The big deal is that the band now has a cellist, Greta Cohn, who plays a mean (though mostly inaudible) electric cello. Her contributions are best experienced live, but they do add an element to the disc. The only downside here is that, since these songs could easily be found on a Cursive full-length, this disc lacks must-buy appeal for anyone but the band's completists. New fans are still advised to look to last year's Domestica for more rock per buck.

1. Sink to the Beat
2. The Great Decay
3. Tall Tales, Telltales
4. Mothership, Mothership, Do You Read Me?
5. Fairytales Tell Tales