Album name: ‘The Infinite Definitive’

Artist: Unknown Component

Genre: Rock/Alternative

Sounds like: Philosophical Britpop

Soundwaves: 4/5

Release Date: October 12, 2010

Those who are philosophically inclined will revel in independent musician Keith Lynch’s newest release, ‘The Infinitive Definite.’ Operating under the moniker ‘Unknown Component,’ Lynch juxtaposes abstract, conceptual lyrics with alternative rock instrumentals, settling into a unique niche in the indie world. The ten-track album ‘The Infinite Definitive’ is a thought-provoking change of pace, well worth the attention Lynch is gaining.

 

Serving as the brains behind Unknown Component since 2002, Lynch is the album’s sole writer, musician and producer. Eight years into the game, the artist has a firm grasp on his unique style and repertoire, which becomes obvious when hearing ‘The Infinite Definitive.’ Most songs are built on guitar riffs and piano chords, with a typical pop rock structure. But labeling this album conventional would be a mistake — the concepts and lyrics throughout the album are provocative and require multiple listens to figure out.

 

The album opener, ‘Moving Out of Frame,’ is an abstract collection of lyrics that consider waves, motion and change, drifting the drift between perceptions. Sure, these ideas are big, but Lynch keeps us grounded in familiarity with distorted guitar riff and squeaky-clean drumming.

 

‘Collections of the State’ maintains a post-grunge sound similar to British pop rock bands like Oasis and Blur. Lynch’s vocals do justice to the Britpop sound, inflecting and punctuating his lyrics like Oasis’s enigmatic front man, Noel Gallagher. ‘Future Circles’ is an acoustic-based song that upholds the aesthetic, working with pleasant piano and electric guitar melodies that build into a dramatic finish. ‘When the Illusion Is What It Seems’ hits especially hard, featuring a quicker pace and some angrily-sung existential lyrics that explore the ideas of recollection, motive and truth. This is Kant set to music.

 

Throughout ‘The Infinite Definitive,’ Unknown Component proves to be an apt band name. While there’s a level of unfamiliarity and distance about these songs and lyrics, they still feel fully realized. Keith Lynch beautifully toes the line between abstraction and focus — his songs remain open to interpretation, yet are direct enough to have a point. Take ‘The Experience of Understanding,’ for example: The lyrics discuss a personal journey and the feeling of being bogged down by life.

Yet ‘Every Measure and Space’ achieves the opposite effect, taking on a lyrically observant viewpoint. With lines like ‘conversations will ensue between the frozen forms of force and levitations of remorse,’ Lynch throws philosophy and poetics together, producing a fascinating blend of art.

Self-production and self-promotion have become the preferred methods of indie artists seeking to make a splash. Musicians often get in over their heads when covering too much, but Lynch proves the do-it-yourself mentality can be the right path to success. He has created some fascinating music over the past decade, and for what he lacks in popular appeal, he more than makes up for with his focused style and refreshingly conceptual songwriting.

ajhaeder@syr.edu

Published on September 13, 2010 at 12:00 pm