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I hate this part.  The part where you finally receive the long- awaited return to form from a favorite band, and something... doesn't work.  How do you even begin to articulate the disappointment you don't want to admit?

Stavesacre's first record in four years is solid, workmanlike in it's quality.  It wouldn't sound of place in 1997, taking from the Smashing Pumpkins here (the slow track "Sean" sounds far too much like an Adore b-side, it's so easy to imagine Billy Corgan's  vocals instead of Mark Saloman's), Tool there, Foo Fighters there. It's drop-D riff rock (marred by poorly used synthesizers), for the most part radio friendly thanks to generic production.  The music is certainly listenable--every instrument is clearly defined--but the guitar tones and drums are stripped of anything that would make them sound like Stavesacre.  The bass has a familiar "chunk" to it, but...  Nothing against Matt Hyde's previous body of work, but he didn't do this band any favors here.

It took me weeks to acknowledge my mixed emotions and disappointment.  Oh, there are few stand-out tracks (particularly "It's Beautiful Once You're Out Here" and "Kill My Darlings") but  eventually - deeply unwilling - I was forced to admit that "Curse" lacks something.  There are good points:  Mark Saloman's stream of  consciousness lyrics are top-notch, as he explores politics without becoming either a bleeding heart liberal or bigoted conservative (key line:  "Don't want the angry elephant, don't want the jumpy jackass").  If it frustrates you to listen to a Christian espousing non-trite and simplistic "AMERICA YAY" lyrics, don't fret - he only does it on two songs.  Grace is a lovingly explored topic, as is living life to the fullest.  It's his address of faith in the opener that strikes me deepest:  "I'm not looking for a reason to believe /  I breathe / I <I>do</i>".  A beautiful reminder that faith doesn't require constant justification or a comprehensive list of "why we believe."

In the end, I'm torn to pieces.  I love the genuine, sincere and honest lyrics delivered by Mark Salomon in his inimitable throaty singing voice.  It's a tremendous disappointment that the music behind such thought-provoking and affirming lyrics feels so stale, generic, "been there done that."  I can't shake the over-whelming feeling of fatigue and "eight years ago" seeping into my every pore. It frustrates me to read every press statement and interview the band has written and conducted talking about being revitalized, renewed, and once again in love with playing music in this band. It frustrates me because I have to contrast those statements with the music itself, and no matter how many times I listen to the disc...

"It" is still missing.

I could detail my mixed emotions for pages.  Fans of Stavesacre will find a lot to like about How To Live With a Curse.  I believe Stavesacre has the ability to write a true successor to the seminal Speakeasy, even another Friction-- something rivaling the best of  their past output.  Sadly, "Curse" is not that record.  Mildly recommended.

Ryan Ro / CNXMUSIC.com