Karate - Sever (1993-2005)

Let's be clear: this isn't mine, but it's really good, so I think it's worth reposting.

Boston's Karate was a big favorite of mine after hearing "The Last Wars" on the Southern Tree & Polyvinyl Fall/Winter 1998 Compilation back in...you guessed it, 1998. I really fell in love with this jazzy indie trio; "The Bed Is In The Ocean" remains in my top ten from 1998 and was an early bonding point between Mrs. Mummy and I. They played a total of 695 shows over 12 years, put out six full-lengths and a live record, and toured the globe. If they'd come along five years later, they probably could have had a Death Cab For Cutie-style career arc.

During the Great Blog Bloom of the late aughts, I came across the folks at Baistophe. Their hook was homemade Best Of collections, with bespoke artwork and comp lengths to fit onto a CD-R. It's worth digging through their archives, in spite of their having called it a day in July 2011. I'd been checking up on them regularly for several months when, for their last post in November 2009, they posted up ABO #306: Karate - "Sever (1993-2005)"; 17 tracks of fried gold. The mysterious S.F.P. wrote:

Karate is a band unlike anything you've ever heard. That, actually, was what made a small number of people praise their unique sound but also the curse which kept them from having the success they deserved. Hastily labeled slocore, emo or indie jazz/blues, they were their own breed with Geoff Farina's awesome guitar playing (reminescent of jazz and blues but not just that) and his clear vocals. These two elements, coupled with a precise and skilled rhythm section, defined Karate's sonic identity, one that will evolve throughout their career while still remaining true to their roots. 

Not the kind of band to use sonic fireworks, Karate is, above everything else, a songwriting marvel. 6 studio albums, a live album and a bunch of Ep's and split singles later, Karate called it quits probably because too few people cared. A real shame if you ask me. 

Fortunately, the music remains. Initially, I wanted to do a double disc before changing my mind and packing a 79 minutes set that will either serve as an introduction for those who don't know them yet or a reminder for the others. Be curious, embark on the Karate baistophe, I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

And I wasn't, even though I'd already heard most of what was on this comp. This remains my go-to whenever a friend who loves music hasn't heard Karate. We're all living in a lot more solitude now; this is a fine soundtrack for these times.

Original post here.

Click here to download.