|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
Terrapin:
Payola EP
I have a hard time believing that this lovely band from the land down under changes their name every 6 months to create an air of schizophrenic intrigue, as they would have us believe. Perhaps they just couldnt decide on a name when they formed so this is their way of taking turns. The album opens with a dog bark leading us into Pixelated. With crashing guitars under Jos breathy, feminine vocals, this song has a great raging attitude and Llew shows us how screaming is done right. But this guy can also sing, which he displays in Numbers Man by sporting a Maynard Keenan air. Even the beautifully layered guitars lean towards A Perfect Circle, but not too closely. My Shadow Chases Me down the Street is an 18-second, artsy interlude which provides a split between the two different styles displayed on this album. The first half is more seething and in-your-face, whereas the last two tracks are more intricate and winding with an atmospheric edge. The vocals are also softer, and they neatly weave themselves through the threads of the elaborate guitar work. Foolscap sits at just over seven minutes yet doesnt feel too long at all. It has none of the nerve-grating repetition that often pulls songs into overtime. Instead it feels like the artists loved the song so much that they didnt want it to end. They bring in some influences from many of the great instrumental rock bands of today and provide their own sexy female vocal artistry. Heart of Gold displays minimal vocals in only the first minute with both Jo and Llew sounding as though they are singing from off in the distance at a noisy train station. While I have come to enjoy the male vocals, the little tidbit in this song is probably my favorite detail, because he sounds as though he is belting it out in a live setting. The emotion in his voice comes through, even if for only a few seconds. The rest of the three minutes ends the album peacefully with the addition of a piano. Sydney has a multi-talented band on its hands, but I hope they will one day settle on a name and stop exhausting their fans with this name-changing stunt. They should recognize that with this kind of quality to their music, they dont need to use such gimmickry to gather a crowd.
Check Amazon, Insound and CD Universe to purchase this album. About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
