Review: Qualm - Long Story Short

artist: qualm album: long story short label: not bad records by: rob tatum Well, for those of you that have been around long enough to remember Qualm of say 1997 or so, then you know what Qualm was about…… Now enter 2002 with an open mind…… This new album is a new direction for Qualm. Even as a long time fan, Long Story Short blew me away. I think that this album is Qualm’s way of saying to everyone that they are serious about making music and that they are here to stay. The album consists of ten songs, plus one secret joke track. The secret track might be their way of reminding people that while they are serious about their music, that it’s okay to have some fun now and then. My favorite song on the album is the third track “Bring Down.” The song is about the corruption of parts of the music scene. It focuses on the people only involved for money. The message is far more serious than the days of songs about Hanson and what not. Not only do the lyrics demonstrate a new direction, the music has progressed as well since the last EP. You can expect more dimensions to the music from the Qualm of the past. I also really liked the cover song. The ninth track is a cover of Lifetime’s “Young, Loud, and Scotty.” The song was probably my favorite song by Lifetime, and for someone to bring it back and introduce it to more people is great. Anyone who has “heard” Qualm, needs to hear this record. It is not the best album I have ever listened to by any means, but it provides new potential in our scene and shows that there are quality bands making quality records. rating: 83%/100%