Exploration Iowa Review of ‘In Direct Communication’

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Unknown Component’s In Direct Communication
by Atom Burke

Keith Lynch of Iowa City, aka Unknown Component (UC), orchestrates a solid guitar/keyboards/drum package on his soon-to-be-released album,

In Direct Communication Though his vocal range is limited, his voice is rich and engaging. His song-writing is accomplished; the lyrics are poetic, well-spoken and sometimes hopeful.

“There’s millions of reasons to believe”

After a strong opening, some tunes sound a bit pre-fab and clunky, but UC builds it up again with the album’s strong second half. Listen for echoes of Grandaddy (especially

Sophtware Slump) in Lynch’s vocals, atmospheric sounds and production.

“What is allowed in a moral drought?”

In this age of home studios and self-produced work anyone can be a virtuoso, UC demonstrates that in abundance.

Although this may be antithetical to his modus operandi, my advice to Lynch would be to find a musical ally for jamming; someone who might stretch his sound to another direction. Maybe a drummer who would change the rhythmic course of his compositions.

UC often finds a groove and seems bound to that rhythm. I’d like to hear how a jazz-trained or afro-beat percussionist would accompany his music. A vocal duet could mix it up nicely too.

This maestro produces all his own stuff (including the album artwork), but an outside ear or another producer may find a new sound that vaults this local talent to the next level.

“I’m living off of sounds”

Unknown Component is a major force in the studio and this month he has multiple live gigs in Iowa City that’ll be worth a listen. Check him out and check out

In Direct Communication in stores and available September 16.

All of his music is available for download through his website: Unknown Component..

 

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