The Cordova Academy Glee Club: Be Mine or There Will Be War

The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
March 20, 2008

Artist: The Cordova Academy Glee Club
Album: Be Mine or There Will be War
Label: Unsigned
Rating:

Finally. Finally an album that immediately has put a smile on my face. Infectious from it’s opening, The Cordova Academy Glee Club have given us Be Mine or There Will be War. A self released record, untouched by the Industry and one of the best albums I have heard in years, full of catchy hooks, quirky lyrics and technical precision not often heard in today’s over-saturated scene.

The Cordova Academy Glee Club was originally called Cordova and was started by James Alex of the ill-fated band Weston. Years of struggling with record labels caused Weston to collapse leading James to put his energy into this new project. Cordova was strictly a DIY project and after releasing an EP, Lie Until It Becomes the Truth, on the indie label Limekiln, they adjusted their name to The Cordova Academy Glee Club and focused on writing, recording and self releasing their full length.

The DIY effort has paid off. James Alex, Matthew George, Philip James and Mark David have unleashed a strangely addictive, quirky, semi-experimental brand of indie rock on the world with Be Mine or There Will be War. Kicking the album in gear is the Cordova Academy Fight Song (Alma Mater), which sets the stage for the album to follow. This isn’t going to be your typical trendy indie rock album. The first official song is a fist pumping, ass shaking anthem, Death March of the New Wave which officially gives a launching pad to the style and tone of the album.

Be Mine or There Will be War has the perfect blend of songs and never gets repetitive. In fact, each song has something original and interesting to offer. The Cordova Academy Glee Club have a style and sound all their own, there’s really nothing like them in the scene today. Songs like Amplified Savior give us the addicting chorus “Amplified sound is the sa-avior . . .” Which I found myself singing along with almost right away. Dance Floor Massacre is a blend of dance rock and indie rock (thankfully without synth) and will have you involuntarily nodding your head.

Lyrically, James has a certain style of writing that seems to have many layers. I kept wishing I had a lyric sheet with me on certain songs, just to dig in deeper. Themes range from the Music Industry:

“Copycats have killed the Scene, Off with their heads!” (Amplified Savior)

To religion and theology:

“Typewriters are not tools of God or the Devil . . .” (Do We Speak in Complete Opposites?)

The Cordova Academy Glee Club have a unique voice in a sea of half ass and mediocre peers. Finally, something fresh has arrived and it’s been given to us in true DIY spirit. Be Mine or There Will be War is at the top of the list for Best Albums of 2008, a complex and satisfying album that will spawn a slew of copycats. Off with their heads!

Stand Out Tracks:

“Death March of the New Wave”

“Amplified Savior”

“Atomic Lipstick”