The Quiet Rise and Silent Fall of Idaho

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MOVIE REVIEW
Traces of Glory: The Musical Journey of IDAHO
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Genre: Documentary, Music
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 27m
Director(s): Mark Allen Davis
Where To Watch: available digitally on June 11, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Back in the gritty '90s, while grunge was all the rage, a musical undercurrent in Los Angeles refused to follow the mainstream. This was the sound of IDAHO, a band that carved a niche in the slowcore (a subgenre of indie rock characterized by subdued tempos with typically minimalist instrumentation alongside solemn and melancholic lyrical performances) scene, only to disappear as quietly as their understated songs. Decades on, TRACES OF GLORY: THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF IDAHO revisits this almost forgotten chapter and its introspective lead, Jeff Martin, whose indifference to fame deepens the narrative of missed opportunities.

Mark Allen Davis, a filmmaker with an authentic grasp of the '90s indie vibe, offers a retrospective and a voyage of discovery in TRACES OF GLORY. The documentary, driven by Davis's admiration for IDAHO and his experiences within similar musical undercurrents, seeks to unearth the enigma behind the band's retreat from potential acclaim.

Martin takes the spotlight, portrayed as a man torn between his artistic passion and the elusive allure of fame. Set against evocative slowcore rhythms, the documentary delves into his reflective state, highlighting his struggles against the commercial forces in the music industry. Through dialogues with Martin's contemporaries like Alan Sparhawk from LOW, Davis paints Martin as a modern-day bard, steadfast in his principles.

A distinctive feature of TRACES OF GLORY is its creative repurposing of archival footage into mini-music videos. This injects life into IDAHO’s historical gigs and bridges decades to when music videos started to redefine artist narratives. This aspect makes the film an almost meta experience, taking the history of this band and sound and evolving it into something more.

The film does more than just reminisce about the '90s—it casts a critical eye on the music industry's often brutal suppression of quieter, introspective talents in favor of louder, market-ready acts. Davis challenges viewers to reflect on the actual price of fame and the value of artistic purity. His directorial insight, enriched by his musical journey, enhances the portrayal of Martin's creative and personal challenges. The music scene has almost always been a produced machine, aiming to get sales and the most prominent stars possible while not always focusing on the more profound passion behind the music.

TRACES OF GLORY offers a poignant reflection on what might have been for IDAHO. This band could have dominated the charts but instead chose a path less traveled, resonating with a niche audience that values depth over dazzle. The documentary is a chronicle of a musical voyage and a commentary on the perpetual conflict between commercial success and genuine artistic expression.

This heartfelt film by Davis stands as a tribute to determined artists like Martin, who pursued their vision with relentless integrity, unaffected by the glitter of fame. The film highlights a forgotten musical era; it celebrates the quiet, creative moments that often go unnoticed in the boisterous world of mainstream music, making it an essential watch for those who cherish the real strokes of artistry in the chaotic music scene.

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[photo courtesy of GOOD DEED ENTERTAINMENT, TIN BOAT PRODUCTIONS]

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