The Callas is a noisepop band/art collective formed by the artists Lakis and Aris Ionas. In recent years they have experimented with mixing different disciplines including music, art, performance and film.

Am I Vertical contains 10 tracks, with a running time of approximately 34 minutes. This really wasn't my sort of thing - while there are promising elements inspired by bands like The Pixies (especially in tracks like 'Anger') this felt like a work in progress.

Tracks like 'East Beat' are rather flat in their delivery. I don't know what the repetitive segment vocals were, but it sounded like "iPhone". I'm not even sure if the track is 'East Beat' (that is what it was called on the MP3 tracks we received, but they sound like they are singing "East East Beast".

I didn't get a real feel for what The Callas were all about; I didn't warm to this album; and I couldn't help feeling this was an opportunity missed.

5

Nick Smithson