Review: Area band releases second independent album

The Micah Walk Band, a local favorite hailing from Springfield, Illinois, recently released their second studio album, "Bright Side Fantasy." They showcased the second album with a CD release party at the Verve, located at 677 Wabash Ave, on July 24.

Their first studio album, "Change," was released in 2006 and the band has been slowly implementing newer songs into their sets while recording the latest album. Compared to "Change," the band collectively considered "Bright Side Fantasy" to be a "better representation" of what they are trying to accomplish musically.

"(Change) was basically a collection of Micah's older songs that we learned to play together," said guitarist Jon Cardoni. "This album was more about us … a lot more honest."

But the album "Change" is nothing to bat an eye at and push to the side. With a variety of different sounds and some very good songs, such as the love confessional "In the Movies," the home-sick, traveling song "Paducah" and déjà-vu sounding "Lucky," "Change" is a great starter album for those of you wanting to hear what The Micah Walk Band has to offer; however, "BSF" shows what the Band is really capable of.

"We had a lot more time with this album," Micah Walk said over a chicken wrap dinner at Charlie's Bar and Grill, located on 1608 Crawford St. "We also set ourselves a deadline to make it work," he said.

Consisting of 15 songs, "Bright Side Fantasy" contains themes from loneliness, in "I don't mind," to a love affair in "Fire" and beginnings of a new relationship in "Come on Mary." The album as a whole shows the range in which the band is able to play. Each song transforms in style from the last; one minute it's a rocking jam with some bluesy, riffs and then the next it's a soft, melancholy ballad.

The Micah Walk Band's many different influences and sounds can be found throughout "Bright Side Fantasy." From musicians like Ryan Adams and bands like Dave Matthews Band and The Old '97s, there is a little bit of everything for everyone on this album.

Working as a four-piece set, The Micah Walk Band is a motley foursome of varying talent. Lead singer and the band's namesake, Micah Walk commands the microphone with a gentle and spirited voice while playing rhythm guitar perfectly.

To his right, Jon Cardoni spills his soul and mind onto the frets of his Fender guitar, ranging in style from funk, to blues to rock.

Dan Hartman on bass seems to be the most relaxed of the band. As he strums away on his rope-like strings, he smiles to the crowd and looks for changes in the music, sometimes lending backup vocals. Lastly, Darin Holthaus acts as the band's backbone, banging away at his drums. Providing the beat and pulse, Holthaus plays the part perfectly and would never be the pretentious drummer that breaks up the band, like with Genesis or Fleetwood Mac.

Picturing the future of the band is difficult. As Micah Walk said, "when I started playing with (the band), I never envisioned we would be where we are … I mean, (Darin and Dan) were in a funk band when I met them!" Walk later added, "I like where we are going," as the rest of the band smiled and noded in agreement.

Perhaps the best direction is the simplest one. So far that ideology has the band right where they want to be. From a simple name to simple (but not unintelligent or drab) lyrics and rhythms, the band stays grounded. All of the members work part-time jobs to tie up loose ends financially and are producing their albums independently. And while being independent from a label can be a harbinger for most bands, The Micah Walk Band chooses to relish in the freedom that opportunity gives them.

"When you are independent, you don't have people telling you what to do or what songs to write," Walk said. "Eventually, we would like to be on a label, but for now we'll enjoy (the freedom)."

As far as the music scene goes in Terre Haute, very few bands come through that pack a house or make the price of admission worthwhile.

However, if you get the chance, catch The Micah Walk Band next time they come around. Their live performances are as good as their albums, if not better. Playing almost all original songs, the band will sprinkle in a few covers that can get a crowd going.

From the Foo Fighters to Ryan Adams, and even some Peter Gabriel (yes, "In Your Eyes" is beautifully done), The Micah Walk Band connects with the crowd better than any other band around.

Currently, The Micah Walk Band is playing select shows in Illinois, between Springfield and Chicago for the tour and release of "Bright Side Fantasy." They are scheduled to be back in Terre Haute on Sept. 11 at the Verve.

( Trever Fehrenbach is a junior english major. He can be reached at sasspted@isugw. indstate.edu.)