Review: En Garde - Debtors (EP)

Label: Count your Lucky Stars

Let's get straight to the point here: This is fantastic stuff. I was quite surprised that this was released by Count your Lucky Stars. Don't get me wrong, they released a bunch of neat records in their tenure but it's been a while since one of their releases hooked me as much as "Debtors" did, quite frankly still does.

This EP was a long time coming as the songs were recorded way back in 2012. In person. At a time where "social distancing" wasn't even a thing. You really can't make out that these songs are nearly 9 years old as this sounds better than everything I've heard in 2021. EN GARDE consists of Andy Hendricks, the former drummer of ANNABEL (another CYLS-band) and Ross Horvath who was part of A VOICE LIKE RHETORIC. 

Andy & Ross take major advantages of that duo-thingy as they are tight as hell and perfectly attuned to one another. Opener "Our Hands" makes no frills and directly shows off the strengths of "Debtors". First and foremost there's the expressive, unique and touching singing from Ross. I couldn't find the lyrics yet but am nonetheless trying my best to sing his heartful stuff along word for word for word. The vocals are definitley a high point here. But Ross' buddy Andy keeps up with his drumming as the rhythmic nature of the EP is another strong point. The guitar then pretty much knows it all. You get melancholic melodies, you get rockin' riffs, you get math-y stuff... and for sure, you get the Noodling which was pretty much invented on CYLS Records. 

What I like about "Debtors" is that the Noodling is not overdone. It transferrs smoothly into the sound so that the songs can keep rocking all the way. At times this clearly reminds me of AT THE DRIVE-IN or CURSIVE circa "Domestica", with all these punchy hooks, the dissonant parts thrown-in and the emotional rollercoaster you will go through in this 15+ minutes. "Debtors" definitely is not your typical Midwest-Emo-joint and that is a good thing.

Besides the amazing "Our Hands" I haven't mentioned any more songs, but you really can't go wrong with any of these 5 songs. "Cri de Coeur", "Edentulism" & the opener are my favourites though. I guess this record was released for Nostalgia-crybabies like me who always are totally convinced that music was better "back then". Sometimes it really pays out when you dig deep in the past, that's for sure. Here's to hoping these guys will dig even deeper in the future...

Rating: 9 out of 10

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