Following up the recent release of their live "discography", Hidden Arithmetic, Indian Summer is re-releasing their "studio" discography to make available just about everything that this outfit put to tape and thankfully so since their original versions can be known to fetch decent sums of money on the collector's market. This band is a much lauded and revered group by those in the "emo" (in the old sense of the "genre" like Embrace, Rites of Spring, etc) and "screamo" circles for their dynamic and improvisational take on punk rock in spite of their relatively short lifespan and practically complete lack of touring. Science 1994 collects their entire output: three split 7" records with relatively unknown bands (Current, Embassy, Ordination of Aaron), a solo 7", and several compilation appearances. And while this may seem a minuscule amount of material, their influence on today's music can still be heard in scattered other bands all over the globe.
The immediate technique which the band explores (and left as its legacy) is readily apparent within the initial song (since Indian Summer never named their songs the fans have designated this one "I Think Your Train Is Leaving") on Science 1994; their use of loud to soft and soft to loud dynamics is striking in its simplicity and execution, and the vocals seem to vomit naked emotion from the various vocal styles (a yelp, a whisper, a "tired" talking technique, and a screech) which only adds to the overall mood. "Aren't You Angel" (again a fan designated moniker) is surely one of the most notable songs that Indian Summer has to offer due in part to its distinct, driving rhythm and the extremely quiet middle section which then explodes; this arrangement is one of the many cathartic sounds that can be found on Science 1994. The lengthiest track in the discography is easily the exceptional and exemplary "Angry Son" (often this song is the track that fans point to when showing people what Indian Summer has to offer in terms of music); the pacing of this piece, the sound, and the music are all just about perfect, but the true beauty of "Angry Son" is the simultaneous conveyance of a myriad of moods that swirl and play off of each other (when the vocalist is screaming, "This is the moment, I am the angry son" the mix of emotions coming through is veritably audible).
Clearly, these songs are extremely raw sounding and not just as a result of the method or avenue of recording that was available to Indian Summer at the time (although the recording is definitely a factor); the raw emotion that the group somehow imbue their music with in these recordings is one of the more astounding aspects of this group of songs and hearing these leads one to understand why the band found it so difficult to remain together. Understandably Science 1994 does not have the spit and polish that many modern "emo" and "screamo" bands might conjure, but if bands like Daitro, L'Antietam, or even defunct acts like City of Caterpillar and Pg. 99 tickle your fancy, this record is something that you absolutely need to acquire. Indian Summer does have elements of sound in common with these bands and will not disappoint in any way. Science 1994, including all its flaws and issues, is an excellent and essential document of a group that split long before its time. Do not wait to purchase the CD as their records tend to all be limited affairs that are gone just as fast as the band members van produce them (just like Hidden Arithmetic these CD's are adorned with handmade packaging and materials that take time and effort to make).
