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BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
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The Bandages:
Self-Titled
Artists, both past and present, like to write about love, loss and the bottle. Many have succeeded in providing their audience with poetry, soul, or something that they can relate to. Even better, some artists paint such an amazing dream world that even someone who has never loved, lost or touched a drop of vodka could fall into and be mesmerized. And then there are The Bandages. From the moment I held the black and white case in my hands, I was interested in what this group had to offer. The simply done outer cover coupled with the detailed artwork on the inside intrigued me. I figured these guys either really cared about their work or someone had a friend with a knack for effective design. I wanted to pull off those metal butterfly clips and unravel the gauze to expose the inner workings of the group. After revealing what lay underneath, I was faced with simple lyrics and punk-inspired vocals accompanied by well-arranged, guitar driven instrumentation. I particularly enjoy the use of piano and vocal harmonization that can be found in almost every song. I also have to give them credit for using the word vicariously in Deliriously Happy without tripping over it. I suppose I cant complain too much about the surface quality here. Lets tear off another layer. What characterizes the music of The Bandages? This is a question that I was having a difficult time with. I can tell theyve taken notes on the bands before them, but it feels more like a checklist as they progress through each song. Theyve put together what they feel is the recipe for success, but the outcome couldve used a little more stirring. As I tear through the layers, I begin to notice two things that standout. This is the use of piano and the vocals. With the welcome addition of the keys, the band has taken average punk-infused rock songs and given them a little kick. Think of it as your favorite steak sauce on a bland ribeye. The piano is the most effective at staying with the listener after the album has finished. But unfortunately, the majority of the album is pretty forgettable otherwise. Overall, the album is fairly average and even after multiple listens, remains unmemorable. Perhaps it is best to leave the wrapping alone and give it a little more time.
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