Title: Split LP
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 18th March 2014
Reviewed By: Millie Manders
For a start, HOW AWESOME IS THIS?! Two bands, 10 songs, one LP. I feel like it's Christmas! Whoever thought of the concept of two for one bands gets my respect straight away. Oh, and the fun doesn't stop there. These are bands that bring unique style in the same genre.
These two bands have known each other for some time and it is clear that their track choices have been well thought out to compliment each other, but still stand apart as separate projects.
The opening track from Nightmares Canadian Tuxedo fades in with an eerie wistfulness like the calm before the storm. The keys give it a creepy toy house feel and the guitars keep you on edge. To have so much anticipation rise in the first minute of a song is rare. The vocals on this track are melodic but full of gravel.
Dead Will Stay sees Nightmares deliver a waltz reminiscent of sing-alongs arm in arm with the best at last orders; full of emotion with a great hook.
Bleached Blonde is a four-to-the-floor classic. Bill's lyrics are brilliant, painting a white trash picture with an undertone of attachment and pity. This is anthemic and totally drawing. I had it on repeat for a good while because it's one of those tracks you want just to get inside of.
Up To The Mountain Heights is their weakest track, with good melodies but harmonies which just aren't tight enough, and the track drags. It's one dimensional with regards to dynamics. The ooh’s are hooky, though, and definitely something you'll end up humming.
Nightmares For A Week finish their offerings in the form of an instrumental track, Boiceville Inn. It is beautiful, well executed, yet a little boring. Two and a half minutes of the same thing, regardless of how well it is played, can become bland especially when the first three tracks give the listener so much to get their teeth into. It is pretty nonetheless.
Being the second band on a split LP must be fairly daunting but Banquets bring the literal noise with bouncing track Two Feet that is well rounded with decent breaks and speed changes, just enough distortion on the guitars and a crisp snare driving throughout. The vocal techniques used remind me of Roger from Less Than Jake and it’s bloody wonderful.
The Engineer keeps the pace going and I find myself bopping my head and singing along… “Are you alone at night? Above the stars, above the sky…” It’s only a minute and a half but it packs a punch.
My Moped Year… Put your Docs on. Raise your fist. Need I say more?
All That Matters and Come Home Ragged are both energy-filled, well written songs, but I am now in need of a change. Banquet do party songs perfectly but have neglected to add anything different to the mix. The musicianship is tight, the drums are phenomenal – especially in Come Home but a trick was missed for emotional connection.
Overall this is a great LP. It isn't music that's ground- or mould-breaking. It's written as an ode to all good rock songs. Think Feeder, Alkaline Trio and My Chemical Romance. Then buy it.
No comments:
Post a Comment