antiMusic.com: Karmic Whiplash - Nervous System Review

Karmic Whiplash - Nervous System Review
by Dan MacIntosh

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Karmic Whiplash is not nearly as psychically dangerous as its name implies. This duo is primarily driven by Brendan Themes and his powerfully strummed acoustic guitar. Themes is also assisted by Travis Lund (drums, electric guitar, harmonica, and mandolin). But this is mainly a stripped down, acoustic affair.

The group lists Violent Femmes as an influence and that band comes immediately to mind during opener, "Winter City" -- especially because of its rapidly snared drum rhythm. But Karmic Whiplash are not nearly as lyrically shocking as Gordon Gano and the boys can be, nor are they as political strident as Ani DiFranco, another admitted influence. Instead, this is unashamed confessional singer/songwriter music, put to an urgent folk groove.

The trouble with Themes is that he emotes a lot without saying much. It's like when your friend comes over and cries on your shoulder. Yet he's blubbering so much you cannot make out a single word he's saying. If Karmic Whiplash would have slowed down and gathered its thoughts a little first, this CD would not have been such an unintelligible weight on the nervous system.

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Karmic Whiplash - Nervous System
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