On The Speakers EP Release Date : November 10, 2003(original) Rereleased on Universal in early 2004 Label: 17 Reasons/Universal Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. First of all, I don't know if this disc is actually called EP, but that's what it says on the spine, so let's just go with it. This is the first hunk of songs from pretty-new band On The Speakers. According to the band, they were eager to get some recorded material out there, but it also serves to tide over the masses until they can get around to recording a full-length disc. The six-song CD clocks in at just under 22 minutes, with a lovely selection of 3-ish minute songs to hook you in and make you dance your face off. No really, just try to not move some part of your body while you listen to this. It's groovy, yo. Let's get this little tidbit out of the way, since you probably already know it, and even if you don't every other review on earth will reiterate it for you. OTS's singer is the same one who lent his vocal (and writing at times) talents to Creeper Lagoon. So far, that factoid has apparently been one of the band's main draws, but you can toss any preconceived notions you might have about On The Speakers right out the damn window, all right? Aside from Ian Sefchick's super-characteristic vocal quality, there's little comparison to be made. Where Creeper soared, this rocks. It rocks! And that's all I'm gonna say about that. Moving right along, Sefchick's voice is vaguely gravelly, and actually somehow sounds a bit 'California,' if that makes any sense at all (it is indeed where the band hails from). Mostly straight-up guitar rock, there are some moments of odd Erasure-esque synth noises (in particular, on "Sweet Dreams"). There's moments where a simple guitar riff carries the song for entire verses before exploding into feedback and roaring. And through it, again, that voice carries on, with the odd warble at the end of a line, or else just rolling up and down like butter with an almost bluesy character. And the raaaaaging background vocals that sneak through on "Could I Be Right" are awesome. "Dolphins" is a cute song, even though the subject matter appears to be more about rejection than anything even remotely cute. But I mean, it's called "Dolphins." How could it not be cute? Dolphins are totally adorable… The disc has some weak moments though, where it sounds almost like they ran out of ideas for a blink. They come back quickly however - I imagine those moments of weakness spring up as a result of a band still in its early experimental stages, rather than them actually having a lack of creative spark. The EP was created so early in their life, that isn't really surprising. Did they jump the gun? Maybe. Then again, maybe this will be a collector's item one day. At the end of it all, it's not really ground-breaking rock or anything, but it has a very distinct flavour, mostly from that voice, but also, something about the smashing drums that are a staple through the whole disc. Cymbals alive, Batman! This is one to put on repeat, and as these guys find their sound and get comfortable in their OTS skin, I can imagine the next batch of recorded material we hear from these guys is gonna rock some major block. Lyric of choice : From the delicious "Click Your Heels" - The sunlight in the morning / feels like a frost when you're lonely. Song of choice : Hands-down, no question about it, the opening tune, "Could I Be Right?" I dare you not to dance or clap or something once the chorus kicks in. So. Damn. Catchy! It's pretty much got built-in head-bopping, and some well-placed "woo!"s that are so much fun to yelp along with. Don't try to deny or resist this one - it's got you already. -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere On The Speakers website Published : June 5, 2004.