Sincere Engineer, fronted by Deanna Belos, runs the emotional gamut with angry highs and desperate lows – often both within the same song. I kind of think of it as a female take on ‘90s emo: the songs are personal and introspective, searching for help through the downtimes. A difference being that most ‘90s emo was seeking validation while this seeks community. There are songs of failure and frustration, isolation and rage, and the whole damn gamut -- all through a first-person, relatable point of view. Belos’ ability to turn on a dime from somber anxiety to raw pain pulls it all together with emotion shouts that cut through the skin.
Some context: Sincere Engineer was founded as a singer-songwriter project by Belos, often performing acoustic but also with a full band. It’s mostly grown into a punk band, but these songs are ultimately lyric-driven and written to be performed with either arrangement. The lyrics and melodies set the tone and the instrumentation adds depth, mood, and energy. Belos uses her ranging vocal styles as additional instrumentation to convey the complex and often overwhelming emotion that flows throughout. “Hurricane of Misery” is a great example, as it opens with celebratory whoa-ohs, followed by pain, lament, embarrassment and more. It’s fun and energetic while simultaneously desperate. It’s not a call for help; it’s a statement. Throughout, you’ll hear nuggets of Chicagoland inspiration, including Chris McCaughan-fronted Lawrence Arms songs.
What makes Belos’ songwriting stand out is that it contains a lot of classic themes: love, substance abuse, anxiety, etc., but it’s never trite or melodramatic. There’s a sincerity that can’t be denied [Sorry]. While all her lyrics are first-person, it feels universal. It takes the singer-songwriter concept and merges it with a working-class punk mentality; in doing so, it adds personality to punk’s formulaic structures and boosts the singer-songwriter style will a more a utilitarian angle. It’s a great communion, filled with everything that the holy act is also supposed to deliver: humility, reflection, and the cathartic purging of demons.
Call it Chicago punk, with elements of new wave, folk, ‘90s alt-rock, emo and a whole lot more. I’d like a little more kick from the band at times, but it’s totally enjoyable and unique as it stands.
