Brendan Kelly/Joe McMahon – Wasted Potential

Over the past ten years, the list of punk frontmen who haven’t dabbled in some sort of acoustic outing has been shrinking.  But rather than giving a complete history of the phenomena and listing them all by name (I don’t know how many times I’ve referenced Chuck Ragan or Tony Sly in this context), I’m just going to skip giving a history lesson everybody already knows, and comment on how that pool has just gotten smaller with the release of the movement’s latest offering: the Wasted Potential split shared by Lawrence Arms co-vocalist Brendan Kelly and label mate and Smoke Or Fire frontman, Joe McMahon.

The twelve-track joint offering finds each artist contributing seven stripped down covers from their personal discographies.  Each side feels very self contained and could have easily been released as stand alone EPs.  Truthfully, I’m a little puzzled by the decision to pair Kelly and McMahon.  Despite sharing a label with Fat Wreck Chords, each vocalist’s styles are radically different – and not really in a complimentary way.  Kelly’s gruff worn vocals align with the poppier side of the “Hot Water Music” movement that became the centerfold for underground punks in the previous decade, whereas McMahon falls in with a pitchier crowd more appreciable in energy and spirit than in style.  So depending on whom you are, Kelly or McMahon runs the risk of feeling out of place.

If you haven’t already guessed it, for me, Kelly steals the show.  With The Lawrence Arms practically writing my personal music manifesto, I could never turn down an excuse for listening to some of the most influential tracks shaping my current preferences.  Kelly knows these tracks like the back of his hand, and feeling very natural in his own skin.  To top it off, Kelly only includes the songs that suit him.   “Blood Meridian” and “Like A Record Player” capture his raw side that – even in an unplugged setting – feels as aggressive as ever.

However Wasted Potential isn’t necessarily a celebration for Kelly.  A few months back Kelly wrote an online journal entry lamenting The Lawrence Arms’ failure to elevate their career above the confines of the Fat Wreck Chords roster and into something bigger like alumni act Against Me!  He claimed there were no bitter feelings, but I can’t help but feel that the phrase “wasted potential” is in some way connected. For example, Kelly tones down “Necrotism”’s formerly celebratory melody into a somber reflective piece emphasizing passages like “I’m wasted as my time, just sitting idly by, drinking in this shit hole while you all went on outside.”  Who knows, such moments might offer a deep glance into Kelly’s personal career understanding.

So with Wasted Potential’s first half feeling so personally engaging, I wasn’t shocked when Joe McMahon’s offerings left something to be desired.  Not surprisingly, I found my chief hang-up in the vocals.  While McMahon’s high pitched shrill feels quite in place amidst Smoke Or Fire’s fast paced, melodic punk backdrop, without his band he at times comes across squeaky and out of tune – and not in a good way.  McMahon simply hasn’t adjusted his pitch to account for the acoustic setting.  Think back to Anti-Flag’s quieter offerings on For Blood And Empire (particularly “One Trillion Dollars”) and imagine if vocalist Justin Sane hadn’t toned down his aggression for the piece’s thoughtful nature.  That’s how Joe McMahon’s side typically plays.  Granted, McMahon has some pretty good source material to work with, making tracks like “What Separates Us All” and “Filter” enjoyable despite the gaping flaws.

Between Kelly and McMahon, Wasted Potential ranges from good to great.  Despite having heard both artists’ songs countless times, the EP never feels stale or unnecessary.  Even so, listeners will likely find themselves playing favourites.  Kelly very quickly became my draw and highlight, while McMahon’s side sat in the shadow.  But that’s what happens when pairing one of the genre’s most relevant with a respectable but less influential counterpart.  So in the end Kelly’s side makes this is a must have for Lawrence Arms fans, with McMahon’s side providing a reasonable bonus.