Tufts senior Jon Fricchione's band October Surprise released its third album, "Comma" (2012) on March 10. The band formed in 2005 when Fricchione and Conor Garrison started playing music together during high school in Harvard, Mass. Phil Stapleton joined as bass guitarist in 2008 and performs with the band during live performances.
Their sound is an experimental one, with roots in both electronic and indie rock. Regardless of genre, the album is a cohesive journey from heavy, yet upbeat, sounds at the start to a melodic and relaxed ending. The album opener, "There's No Grace In It" is more "rock 'n' roll" than the rest of the album; but that's not to say it is misleading, as it is rock 'n' roll in the same way as The Strokes, with the lazy distortion that makes the song sound effortless even as it builds up to a drum?heavy climax. It is also perfectly placed as the album opener, imbuing "Comma" with an energy it might otherwise lack.
"Honesty Trick" is a song more reminiscent of the "folksy rock" of The Shins; that's two comparisons that show already the diversity October Surprise is capable of. The melodies in "Honesty Trick" are layered nicely; the progression of the track from the twangy guitar and vocal combo to the addition of a catchy drumbeat in the background makes this song one of the highlights of the album. This is also the track where Fricchione displays his vocal abilities, demonstrating a husky tone that, in this age of Auto Tune, is nicely distinctive.
It should be mentioned as well that Fricchione and Garrison record, mix and master their music themselves. But rather than coming off as amateurish, their professional output proves that they are as at good producing music as they are at making it. The final sound of the album strikes the perfect balance between rawness and artifice. One of the other gems is "Hollow Point," which has Fricchione crooning, "I am stuck/ I'm out of breath and sucking smoke/ I'm next to a hollow point/ My coat can't keep my sweat from turning cold," over a frantic guitar. His voice has an eerily similar sound to Damon Albarn's when he was in The Good, The Bad, and The Queen. Fricchione's composition and performance skills leave the listener with an impression of a level of experience beyond the typical college musician.
"I Lost My Head That Night" has more of an electronic sound, since it uses an electronic drum kit in addition to an acoustic one. This is where Garrison shines, as his drumbeats permeate the otherwise less?stimulating song. "Born Into It" is the turning point on the album in terms of overall atmosphere; the upbeat melodies and heavier guitar are left behind to make room for a moodier ambience, helped along by the backing vocals provided by Molly Ferrill.
The next track, "Lost in the Measurement," has a dangerously dark sound to it; later in the song Fricchione sings, "We gave it all up/ For the candy and the nicotine/ You should just come over/ I'm all jacked up on caffeine," over a rich and sinister guitar. "Morning Dog" has wistful melodies all tied up to made the most laid?back song on the album, although the last track, "Circling Photographs," does chilled?out moodiness better. October Surprise is definitely adept at making the slow indie?rock that pervades the radio waves in this era, but it is the band's more fast?paced tracks that set them apart.
"Comma" is available for free downloads on the October Surprise Bandcamp site, but the band members are sending out handmade t?shirts to those who donate $10 and a handmade art package, bonus tracks and a t?shirt to those who give $25.
