13. January 2022 By Walter Price 0

USS – The Science and Artfunkel Victory Lap

USS – The Science and Artfunkel Victory Lap is available on Apple Music, Spotify, Coalition Music.

It’s a daunting task to figure out if Canada’s USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) is still in operation, or even from a local area or rather from someplace far far away. On one hand, there is an entire album of B-sides, rarities, and bits-n-bobs called ‘The Science and Artfunkel Victory Lap’ that’s equally delighting longtime fans and newcomers, like myself. Also, their socials seem a little quiet and Wiki has declared them defunct. So, I dunnnnno.

No need to dwell tho. Let’s get back to the otherworldly, award-winning, critically acclaimed duo’s 12-track, swan song? Again, I’m new to this party, but what I know after an s-ton of streams is that there is no need to try and compare this trippy around all its edges LP. Seriously, what is it… Folk, space rock, grunge-pop, danceable anthems, swooning ballads…Yes, it is.

Also, let’s be honest with one another here. 99.99% of press releases are sad works of fiction. But every once in a while you get one that may be just as brilliant as the wares it’s introducing. I’d be remiss if I didn’t share some of the highly entertaining onesheet with you, fine people.

In 2004, before our first ever show in the attic of The Earl in Stouffville, someone asked Human Kebab to describe our new band and he simply replied, “we’re like Science and Artfunkel,” which I obviously never forgot.

When the genesis of this record was forming and birthing itself, lo and behold, Human Kebab’s answer from 2004 smoke signaled across my mind’s eye and it was Eaton Centre Swarovski crystal clear that his 5 stars on Yelp, nourishingly pithy and absurdist full circle abstract correlation from 2004 would be our conceptual North Star.

The Science and Artfunkel Victory Lap forced us into change, growth, and evolution. For the first time in our career, an entire album was completed without any hugs – over phone lines, emails, Zoom calls, lots of club soda, and various kinds of sandwiches.

Thank you to the internet…

Our guest room is always available when you’re in town.

Yeah, it’s pretty great, right? Of course, it is. But what’s even better is the ‘The Science and Artfunkel Victory Lap’ album itself. A gateway LP, to what once was, or still is, maybe…who knows. All I know at this point is that I truly dig this stellar LP, it’s been a while since I’ve dusted off my giddy like this (not a euphemism), and that you can stream it in full, here at the GTC.