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Band: The Snake The Cross The Crown
Album Title: Mander Salis
Release Date: 08.24.04
Released By: Equal Vision
Purchase: click here
Offical Website: click here
Reviewed By: Daniel Alcinii

Track Listing:

• An Honest Misappropriation of Funds
• Empires
• Gates of Dis
• A Gathering of Shades
• On the Threshold of Eternity
• The Sun Tells the Moon
• A Brief Intermission
• The Laughing Man
• Echolalia
• The Fields of Us

The name taken from a band member’s birthmark, The Snake The Cross The Crown have released their Equal Vision Records beautiful debut entitled Mander Salis to the world. Shortly before releasing their debut EP, Like A Moth To A Flame on Waste Of Time Records, the five some decided to move out west to Santa Barbara, California. EVR then quickly snatched them up to give the world a great band.

Mander Salis comes in at around 50 minutes featuring ten solid tracks from this Huntsville, AL band. The album opens up with the song, “An Honest Misappropriation of Funds,” and is a great choice as an opening track, as it showcases the familiar syth-indie TSTCTC with a punch added to it for flavor. Throughout the song you will find a lot of tempo changes which foreshadows the direction and experimentation of the album. One of the standout tracks on Mander Salis is the semi acoustic “A Brief Intermission”. The song reminds me of the great singer/song writer Elliott Smith as the vocalist and the acoustic guitar styling of the song sound somewhat similar to Elliott Smith. Around the two minute mark, the song takes an upbeat turn as keyboards and drums are noticeable and with this song alone, Mander Salis is worth every penny spent. Track number 9, “Echolalia”, is the longest on the album coming in at 9:02 minutes. The song has an indie/pop/rock vibe to it featuring strong piano notes and guitars, another notable is that TSTCTC have given the song a ‘stormy type day’ feel to it which adds to the already stellar track.

The Snake The Cross The Crown will leave their mark on you and will change the way you view music and life in general after a handful of listens. TSTCTC have put out an outstanding debut for a great label. For fans of Rilo Kiley, Elliott Smith, The Goodlife, and Benton Falls.

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