I first saw the Butterfly Effect at the Sinkin' Dory Music Awards in February, when the rest of Saint John was celebrating the East Coast Music Awards. After having heard a couple dozen bands that weekend, it is no small compliment to say that their unique sound stood out for me right away that night. Over the next few months, I'd heard about upcoming performances around the city but something always seemed to conflict with my ability to catch them again.
Recently, I finally did see the band perform at the Waterfront, and their set was easily solid enough to warrant a purchase of their five track debut release. Entitled Cycle One, the album showcases the group's prowess and patience. All too often, a band will be tempted to overlap each other in terms of instruments and melody. The Butterfly Effect seems obsessed with painting moods rather than producing easily-packaged songs. Don't worry, this is a good thing. It means that they have enough confidence in their sound to encourage each of the respective band members to breathe, much in the way a band like Radiohead have been doing.
The CD opens with "Fairytale", a rocker that toys with tempo without compromising its hard edge. The vocals are a little tough to decipher, but that's okay. "An Ultraviolet Apology", although slower, comes off with noticeable and admirable restraint and control. Lyrics a little easier to hear. The third track, "Preach Right Here" is probably the best effort, a tumultuous offering that marches forward then retreats then plows forward again. It's intense, although the words are a little hard to decipher, first describing a parent and a child, then referring to a lot of people dying, and finally being about flying and beauty. "Than Then" is the least accessible of the songs, and a tribal feel characterizes the atmospheric track. The CD closes with "On the Beat", a metronomic, layered cut that reminds me a little of a musical round.
All things considered, the sound quality is quite good here. This isn't a dig, but I've found Cycle One to be a great spin while doing the dishes. Normally, I would say that I look forward to future live shows and new recordings, but the band has apparently been going through some personnel changes, so who knows what's next. I used to work with the drummer, Clinton Charlton, and he really impressed me with his talent when I saw him live. With any luck, the next time I bump into him I'll know more about the prospects of this group that clearly possesses a lot of skill and potential.
