AMG Review of Halfworld

Tom Schulte
All Music Guide

This five-song EP is only an introduction to the dark electronica-pop of Splashdown. This Boston trio suggests a Morcheeba with angst. A full-length is due out next year on the Java imprint. This is the specialty Capitol label run by Glen Ballard and Gary Gersh, partly responsible for the success of Alanis Morissette and Nirvana, respectively. Foremost in the Splashdown sound is the contrast of the alluring, sweet voice of Kasson Crooker with the shrieking, siren vocals of Melissa Kaplan (Women of Sodom). As a result, a piece that starts as warm seduction flares into a piercing attack. Comfortably undulating, the electronic rock mixes with dual and multi-tracked female vocals alongside distorted rock guitar or acoustic melodies for a ride that is as seductive as it is varied.