The Art of Shooting

Traveling Show (Self-released)

By Erin Lyndal Martin
Published: April 28th, 2010 | 7:00am

On Traveling Show, the debut album from Brooklyn’s the Art of Shooting, the best moments come in the form of shoegaze-y songs like "One Minute Love Song" (which is actually three minutes and twelve seconds). But don't be fooled by the shoegaze label; this is a band that knows how to turn up the guitars and rock. "No One Two" is a pleasantly ethereal number that makes good use of front woman Kelly Irene Carson's sweet vocals, while tracks like "Orange" deify that sound and prove that even the most saccharine voice can develop some rough edges.

Art of Shooting’s jerky arrangements could use some work, though. On the repetitive "It Goes (Home)," there are noble attempts at leaping between genres on the turn of a guitar chord, but something is missing. Far worse is the banshee-driven speed rock closer, "Pet." Still, there’s definitely enough promise and ambition here to rouse curiosity about what's to come. Hopefully the band will have smoothed out the wrinkles in their sound by their next release.

The Art of Shooting MySpace page