Tarkio
Omnibus

THE REVIEW

In 1999, a young man named Colin Meloy from Montana moved to Portland, Oregon, in an attempt to form a band capable of climbing the charts across the globe with an alternative-sounding pop music, almost "gritty".

Little by little, he managed to convince Ezra Holbrook, an unemployed singer, to join his project. The endeavor became more concrete with the recruitment of bassist Nate Query and keyboardist Jenny Conlee. Perhaps he didn't even realize it himself, but a great indie star was being born: the Decemberists. The rest would come later with the release of "Castaway and Cutouts" (2002), "Her Majesty The Decemberists" (2003), the recent "Picaresque" (2005), and an EP ("The Tain") in 2004. The alternative crowd quickly fell in love with them, and the Decemberists enjoyed their well-deserved success, in my opinion.

However, not many know that Meloy's move from Montana to Oregon was not a personal choice, but rather an almost forced decision following the failure of his first band. Indeed, in 1996, a young Colin (freshly graduated from college in Missoula, his hometown) founded Tarkio, a carefree college pop band that lasted just three years, just enough time to release an LP ("I Guess I Was Hoping For Something More") and an EP ("Sea Songs For Landlocked Sailors").

In 2006, the Decemberists' label became aware of Meloy's previous musical adventure and swiftly decided to combine Tarkio’s two works into a collection of twenty-seven tracks, titled "Omnibus", undoubtedly a clever commercial maneuver to leverage the resounding name of the Decemberists (currently on tour). Well, considering the Decemberists' talent, I too decided to purchase this double "Omnibus", certain I had a precious and exquisitely crafted item in my hands. You can imagine my disappointment when the speakers began to emit music that could not be more banal, with a decidedly rough rhythm that was absolutely not in the style of the Decemberists. Honestly, upon listening to the first two tracks (respectively "Keeping me Awake" and "Caroline Ave"), I had the feeling that the clerk had given me the wrong CD. Could this be a reissue of some R.E.M. works? I checked. No, it's Tarkio. But, strangely, the music bears a bothersome resemblance to that of Michael Stipe and company.

Well, I said to myself, too bad about these two, let's listen to the others. It's no use, guys. We're just not there. Perhaps I'm beginning to understand why this band never got much attention. Tarkio nonchalantly switched from R.E.M. to Counting Crows ("Melena Won't Get Stoned") only to redirect their focus back to Stipe's band. I am undeniably disappointed hearing songs performed by a band with good potential but, unfortunately, sounding like a million other well-known groups compared to these Montanans (or however you wish to call them). And so I decide. I'm not interested in hearing all the songs. If they're stubbornly alike, why waste time? Let's try listening to the beginnings. If they're good, maybe they'll deserve a modicum of attention. Otherwise, change the track. Damn, no sooner had I said it. Along comes "Kickaround", track number 7, lasting a good six minutes, which superbly foreshadows the unmistakable sound of the Decemberists. Definitely poetic are the five strings of good Meloy, even though perhaps the song's pace is too slow, but my radar has indeed been revived, and I think only of savoring all these minutes. Ahh, this time I came out satisfied, I think to myself, and damn it, then comes "If I Had More Time" that leaves me dumbfounded because of the absolute similarity of the initial strumming to that of trademark R.E.M. Well, money doesn't grow on trees after all. And this twenty euros were senselessly thrown to the wind for a collection of a group that has little or nothing of its own.

A pity, considering what would have emerged from the ashes of this Montana band. But, as you know, not every ring doughnut comes out with a hole... at least the first ones.