The Lean Years Tradition

Description

The Lean Years Tradition is the sole album by the American alternative rock band Model Engine (though the combo already had released two albums under the Black Eyed Sceva moniker), released on SaraBellum Records in 1997, a division of 5 Minute Walk Recordings, distributed in the US by WCD/WEA. The album was recorded and mixed by Bruce Winter at Riviera Studios in Santa Barbara, California; June 1997, with Winter and the band producing. All songs written by the band with lyrics by lead vocalist Jeremy Post (except “Rosinante” featuring lyrics co-written by Post and Bruce Winter).

Model Engine features Jeremy Post on lead vocals and guitar, Brad McCarter on bass and background vocals, and Erik Herzog on drums (who replaced Black Eyed Sceva era drummer Brent Nims).

Okay, perhaps the artists formerly known as Black Eyed Sceva aren’t so hot at choosing names for themselves (or their albums), but oh man, can they deliver the musical goods.

In fact, together the members of Model Engine may be the most underrated group on the scene. And despite their passion, accomplished and inventive chops, and guitarist Jeremy Post’s compelling vocal rasp, the gourmet ear food they serve with ‘The Lean Years Tradition’, their third release, probably won’t be earnin’ them extra tips at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Why? I like to call it the King’s X effect. Model Engine (like its older, louder, and more accomplished power trio counterparts) plays spiritually-charged rock that’s at once melodic and atonal, warm and disturbing, vocally harmonic and musically reckless – and pretty much uncommercial. Unfortunately, you probably wont be hearing songs like «Reeperbahn», «Scarred but Smarter» or «Suture» on the airwaves. I hope the band is sending its stuff to college radio DJs, ‘cuz that’s where it will find the most sympathetic audience.

That’s a shame because, like King’s X, Model Engine conveys a clearly audible, yet intangible, chemistry. And it’s Post’s crooning in particular that’s become the band’s calling card. Whether the tune is soft, loud, fast or slow, the frontman manages to weave an unmistakably loving, peaceful vibe into his unique, edgy singing.

The lyrics are wondrous, profound and poetic without being preachy. Take the opener, «Hang You Upside-Down»: “Underneath the weight of everything we’re turning black coals into diamonds/ And we’re sifting through the remains and picking out the pearls…” which shifts to a chilling portent: “If they find you out they’ll hang you upside-down with sharpened spikes to form fit through your hands and twisted thorns for a crown…”

Model Engine is a thinking person’s band, so if you’ve got any brains, you’ll grab this CD fast. [Dave Urbanski, CCM, January 1998]

2023 Remaster/Reissue

The story goes, a small independent band known as Black Eyed Sceva begins working with 5 Minute Walk Records and then release their fantastic debut titled “Way Before The Flood” in 1995. The band would release another album/ep called “5 Years, 50,000 Miles Davis” which included a couple new tracks (at the time) alongside Live songs and other rarities. It would release in 1996 and would mark the band’s final release under their name. They regrouped that year and changed their name to “Model Engine” to differentiate themselves from the harder to pronounce and difficult to explain name. The band moved up to “Sara Bellum Records”, a 5 Minute Walk imprint label that had major label distribution and dropped their full length “The Lean Years Tradition” in 1997. It wasn’t so much a departure in sound but rather an upgrade in sound production, songwriting, and that full band sound complete with different instrumentation and backing features. With the sound of this record there was absolutely no reason this couldn’t have been the biggest release of the late 90’s. I’ve praised this album a lot over the years and I count myself as a big fan of the band. Switchfoot were just starting to take off around this time and I could have seen the two bands touring together in the years that followed but unfortunately that didn’t happen. Although I do remember seeing both bands at some mini-fest in the abandoned department store of an old mall near us that was getting remodeled. I don’t know the whole story regarding the end of the band and one day I will interview Jeremy Post about it but it was always a sad part of our scene to lose a group of guys that were intensely talented and passionate about what they did. They were in terms of lyrics, lightyears ahead of many other bands at that time (except for their label mates FIF who always seemed to pull out an endless supply of witty and thought-provoking words). So, long story short, the fantastic 1997 album by Model Engine is now finally available on all digital networks for the first time. Head over to Spotify and Apple Music right now and check out Model Engine “The Lean Years Tradition”. The band members themselves are responsible for the re-release and all support goes to them. The album has been remixed/Remastered as well. Enjoy! [Brandon J., Indie Vision Music, December 16, 2023]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-lean-years-tradition/1721235903)

CD tracklist:

01. Hang You Upside Down
02. Scarred But Smarter
03. Reeperbahn
04. Suture
05. Weathervanes
06. Walking Wounded
07. Anonymous F
08. Halcyon Days
09. Encore
10. Rosinante

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by SaraBellum Records.

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