Posted on 07/18/2005

 

Nothing spectacular. Nothing new. Nothing groundbreaking. Nothing… blue? Okay, I couldn't find a closer, but you get my point. Or at least you will after listening to Shawn Hewitt & The National Strike's six-song EP The Soft Society. Mr. Hewitt and his crew have put together a rather decent collection but nothing to really write home about. Shawn Hewitt is rock but not hardcore and abrasive. He's a rocker with a mature conscience, the kind grown folk understand. And he has a magnificent voice: it's strong, it's pure and it's complementary to the music performed. Everything is balanced, like a nutritious breakfast. But, like a part of a balanced meal, this EP fails to excite.



hawn Hewitt & TNS have a couple cuts that may become signature songs. "Stockholm Syndrone" isn't an innovative song but the musicianship is worthy of applause. "Firefly" can easily be one of those Oscar-nominated sappy soundtrack singles. Fans of Seal, are you listening?

Mr. Hewitt grinds his axe on the fuming "Dr. Yes”. The melody is adequate and the guitar is great but the chorus is friggin' annoying. Despite that fact, I can't get it out of my head! (Arggg!) The band does a much better job on the final song, "Cartridge”. It's a good song with a classic rock ending – the music and vocals--loud, hard and strong--suddenly cut short and you're left with that lingering, lone note from an electric guitar.

The remaining two songs on the EP are okay at best. The ho-hum "Ghost Chaser" summarizes the band's overall effect. The track "Down With the Ship" could have gotten an immediate second listen if the last minute lasted, well, longer than a minute.

Shawn Hewitt & The National Strike have what it takes to generate a broad fan base and maybe even a little staying power. Again, there is nothing brilliant about their music but maybe much better things will come from them. I believe they have the potential: it's just not evident on this EP.