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Eyes Like Knives - Self-Titled (EP)
I
suppose Ill start off by saying how good it is to hear a heavy rock
band that doesnt fall under that doo-doo rap-metal/ nu-metal category, citing
over-rated Korn as an influence.
Even though I cant say that the rest of my CD collection sounds too much like
the EP that the band Eyes Like Knives sent to me, I still enjoyed listening to
their self-titled debut.
This Boston band names Sonic Youth, Fugazi, and Drive Like Jehu as
musical influences, and while the influence of all those bands can be heard in
their music, Eyes Like Knives has managed to create a sound that is all their
own. The opening track, Waylo, starts and ends with a wicked, rough-around-the-edges guitar hook that I couldnt get out of my head for days. About 2:20 into the song, lead singer Scott Toomey chants something almost completely indecipherable in a voice that very much resembles Ian MacKayes. While this occurs several times during the EP (especially on Anchorless), I cant really say Eyes Like Knives music sounds anything like Fugazi, but for those brief moments. Toomeys versatile vocals resemble other influences at different points on the EP as well. In Sleep A While, some production effects make Toomeys screaming voice sound a lot like Steve Albinis from the days of Big Black. On other tracks, the harmonization (or purposeful lack thereof) of Toomeys and Rebekka Takamizus vocals come close to resembling Kims & Thurstons. Even still, just when I think Ive got their sound pegged, Eyes Like Knives throws me off yet again with their own original constructions. For example, in between Toomeys Albini-like screaming moments on Sleep A While, Takamizu sings an almost goth-sounding chorus that gives the song newfound melody, and just in time. The instrumentation on Eyes Like Knives alternates between noise and melody quite well with dissonant guitars, feedback, aggressive drums, and even noisy piano. Eyes Like Knives pushes the envelope on every song just when youve heard enough noise, there is a hint of melody to relieve the tension whether its in the form of Takamizus voice or in the guitars note migrating just enough to bring you back to a more comfortable sound. The nameless disc closer which the CD sleeve simply denotes as ****** is a piano piece by Takamizu that very much represents the calm at the end of the storm. It winds down the discs tempo and volume nicely, yet manages to keep from straying from the EPs slightly disturbed tone. While Eyes Like Knives has some rough edges it could file down before recording again, this first effort proves successful in defining an original sound, something that tends to take most bands at least a couple of tries.
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