Skinny Puppy’s latest effort following their much hyped reunion sounds surprisingly less dense, still heavy but this time more “musical” elements permeate the sound of the band. Not to say that the garbled vocals and trippy clicking percussion are missing, they are definitely there, but they are reshaped in a much grander way, like on “Haze” (3). This is a welcome change for me because I always felt that when Skinny Puppy opened up their sound a bit their frightening soundscapes created some bizarrely beautiful tracks. Some examples of the combination of the heavy industrial and the sound sculpting include “Ambiantz” (9) which features an almost classical sounding keyboard, “Jaher” (5) where a spare Spanish guitar melody drives the song and “Pasturn” (8) which drops its percussion towards the end to ascend into some dreamlike synths. The experiments are compelling listening, but like with any experiment what you get in the end isn’t always what you were going for. There are some missteps on the album that just sound cheesy, grating, or just gross. I’m not talking about typical Skinny Puppy lyrics about death, decay and drug use, I’m talking about when Nivek Ogre just says something that you just don’t want to hear, like in “Magnifishit” (1) when he makes references to how your mother urinates, or “Ugli”(10) where he repeats “Jesus wants to be ugly” over and over and over. It’s just uncalled for. It makes songs that otherwise would be entertaining to listen to thoroughly cringe-able. It’s not the religious content or gross content that I’m objecting to; I just don’t understand what the point is behind it. Luckily, there aren’t many moments like that on the album. Overall “Mythmaker” is stripped down back to basics Skinny Puppy, which reveals that even after over 20 years, the death of a core member, and “kicking the habit” that they are still the premier innovators of Industrial music.
Skinny Puppy Myspace
Buy “MythMakers”
MP3 – Jaher – Skinny Puppy
MP3 – Ambiantz – Skinny Puppy
The Cinematics sound like a combination of the Editors and White Rose Movement, with a pinch of Joy Division. You’d think that with so many bands aping the post punk rock style these days that another band doing this would sound contrived and old, but The Cinematics bring the emotional power to make “A Strange Education” sound fresh. Lyrically most of the album is pretty dark, describing relationship related agony, like the lyrics on “Human” (4): “I’ve been breaking my back with the weight of your heart” and “Rise and Fall” (6) “No it’s not what I wanted, at least she’s holding my hand.” The gloomy heavy atmosphere gives way to some exceptionally bouncy and powerful singles. Like the lead single “Keep Forgetting” (8) which starts off sounding like Carlos D. of Interpol remixing Franz Ferdinands’ “This Fire”, before exploding with it’s own massive hook. “Maybe Someday” (10) reaches the emotional apex of the album with it’s resolute lyrics and Editors-esque sound. There is also a spectacular cover of Beck’s “Sunday Sun” (7) which is easily an album favorite because I loved “Sea Change.” Sonically, The Cinematics go out with a bang with the climactic “Asleep at the Wheel” (12) which sears into a high velocity soundscape. ”Maybe I am just a sucker for post punk British indie rock, but these guys just write great songs.
The Cinematics Myspace
Buy “A Strange Education”
Watch The Video For “Keep Forgetting”
MP3 – Maybe Someday – The Cinematics
MP3 – Sunday Sun – The Cinematics
Right off the bat, I have to say of all the British bands to influx after Franz Ferdinand went big the Rakes were my favorite. I don’t know if it was their well written bass heavy anthems or their quirky immediacy. What I do know is that their video for “22 Grand Job” is among my favorite videos of all time. Could it be all the slim ladies wearing glasses, short black skirts and tight white blouses? Could it be the quirky antics of lead singer Alan Donohoe? Yes, yes and yes. So needless to say the boys from London have a bit to live up to with their “Ten New Messages”. This time around, the songs aren’t as brash; they are more calculated, more intimate. Not to say that you can’t gyrate wildly to songs on the album, which definitely is the case, it’s just that Alan and company are wearier from late night rendezvous and endless gigs and parties. The songs retain their catchy-ness while emoting more, which is certainly an enjoyable progression. Musically, there is a bit of experimentation too, most notably the use of chorused backing vocals, like on lead single “We Danced Together” (3). Another cool trick is when guest vocalists lay down some raps on “Suspicious Eyes” (5) about terrorism; ironically it’s great fun. Alan sounds shockingly like Chris Martin of Coldplay on the propulsive “Time to Stop Talking” (9). The album closes with a perfect example of The Rakes’ witty lyrics, “Leave the City and come Home” (10). It’s about a young woman’s plight in the city (presumably London) and what she has to endure as her stay goes on, while a certain pining someone aches for her to return. It’s absolutely sweet and funny, which is perhaps the reason I never seem to tire of the Rakes, they are pure heart.
The Rakes Myspace
Buy “Ten New Messages”
Watch The Video for “We Danced Together”
MP3- Suspicious Eyes – The Rakes
MP3- Time to Stop Talking – The Rakes
MP3- We Danced Together – The Rakes (SeBastian Remix)
I’ve known about Black Rebel Motorcycle club for a long time, there was even a poster for them at the first radio station I worked at; when I saw their picture, they reminded me of the Dandy Warhols in their style. I tried to get into their sound a while back but there was just nothing that hooked me. Then their next album that came out was acoustic, well, what does a NYC alternative fuzz rock band sound like without all that glorious fuzz? I didn’t go out of my way to find out. Then I heard that “Baby 81″ was a combination of the better of the first two albums. If there ever was a time to check out what B.M.R.C. is all about now would be the time. With all the angular guitar rock spitting out of every which way these past few years it’s refreshing to hear a band that just spits out those huge distorted riffs that at times allude to surf rock or the blues. They just do the riffs right; and they continue to win me over by adding a piano occasionally to their rhythm section like on “Window” (4). They have a great rhythm section; it induces fist pumping anthems to stomping rave ups and even erupts into full on dance beats. Highlights of the album include “Berlin” (2) that includes one of those supremely dance-able beats and tough blues riffs. “Not What You Wanted” (6), delves into a driving pop number. “All You Do Is Talk” (8), is definitely the supreme ballad of the album that goes from riding feedback and spare piano while the vocals build and build until a U2-esque beat falls into place to take them home. One of the tracks that got me right off the bat was “Need Some Air” (10) that definitely sounded to me like what Joy Division would sound like if they mutated and combined with “Get Ready” era New Order. Needless to say it is excellent. This album has been one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve had while reviewing albums, I could go on talking even more about the merits of this effort, but I think you should find out for yourself and start listening.
Buy “Baby 81″
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Myspace
MP3 – Need Some Air – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
MP3 – All You do is Talk – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
