Sorrows Learn To Swim

One might easily dismiss the monstrous levels of emotion permeating The Scott Farkus Affair’s debut as just more of the same in a long line of angst-filled, guitar-driven, punk-infused rock ‘n roll. While it’s true Sorrows Learn to Swim features the requisite raging vocals and spiraling guitars coiled around clamoring drumbeats and ravaged melodies, there’s more to this release than that. Speed contorted rhythms and well-crafted lyrics l end themselves to complex visions of frustrated yearnings, reflecting a thematic depth sorely lacking in much post-grunge rock. “Open Up in the Middle,” “Sentimental Enemy” and the deeply melodic “Corner” are steeped in belligerent tales of deception, insincerity and troubled relationships.Unfortunately, the distortion and feedback are slightly overdone and a powerful voice comparable to Kurt Cobain and Alarm-era Mike Peters is at times muffled, reducing plaintive cries to fuzzy background noise. Yet, through it all, The Scott Farkus Affair makes a solid case for proving that even punk-rockers get the blues sometimes. – Roxanne Blanford