Sampling: Verde - The Undeserved Current

VERDE
THE UNDESERVED CURRENT
BAKERY OUTLET RECORDS 2006

By Nick McGregor

Sean Mahan is well-known around the North Florida indie scene for his paintings on album covers of bands such as Floor, Planes Mistaken For Stars, and Twelve Hour Turn. But this Neptune Beach native skillfully handles his musical endeavors, as well. On The Undeserved Current, Sean creates a quietly layered mishmash of fuzzy guitars, echoing melodies, and recycled drumbeats. Even more remarkable is the fact that Sean put the Verde project together himself, eight-tracking the entire album at home and of course deftly executing the nostalgic artwork.

Highlights include the glimmering keys of “Angeline,” the clean guitar pop of “Honest Try,” and the intricate campfire feel of “Romantic TVs,” which features some decidedly Floridian bugs chirping in the background. And even though The Undeserved Current maintains a steady shuffle throughout, upbeat drum lines make a brief appearance on the Bright Eyes-inspired “Priorities.”

Sean’s lyrics range from the metaphorical to the introspective, touching on the usual inspiration of personal relationships while also dealing with larger issues like war and history. And while hints of influences such as Guided By Voices and Elliot Smith appear, these 18 songs bear the mark of an original and creative musician happy to work within his own lo-fi framework.

Available on St. Augustine label Bakery Outlet Records, Sean Mahan’s Verde project keeps it local while providing a slow, loping vibe any indie fan can identify with. Although Sean describes The Undeserved Current as a “surf-inspired, fun rock album for both getting stoked and taking it easy,” you may not get hyped up or injected with energy due to its consistently quiet tone. In fact, few modern artists succeed at achieving such laid-back emotion over 45 minutes. But with a relaxing, leisurely gait, it’s the perfect album for lounging away a comfortable evening watching the Florida sunset.