Year End Hidden Voices And 12 More Observations
Year end releases that I nearly missed. It’s 2022. Here’s some December stuff to start things off properly. First, the return of guest reviewer Cuzface telling us all about Chic a go go ‘s Man -Eaters. Last year, in this post, was there previous release https://meatsheetfanzine.com/moonkisser-man-eating-dope-bodies-jer-bang-three-quick-reviews/
Secondly Robin Guthrie’s Riviera EP (it’s actually first in this post – oh well) If you want to hear what the member of Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil has been up to then look no further. Going without saying please support any and all of these artists if you can. Having my zine and blog has driven home even more how great it is when people buy, share, follow, etc your endeavors. It literally means the world to artists. So click around if you like. Lastly is Indoor Voices. Fans that look at their shoes and effects take note.
Robin Guthrie – Riviera – Soleil Après Minuit Records
Riviera is a subtly beautiful EP from Robin Guthrie. As stated above the EP artwork , you may know him from his solo work. To name a short two, This Mortal Coil, or Cocteau Twins.
Riviera is four songs of understated ambient luster.
I’m sure you could cross reference this with many similar artists. The way the guitar trickles and washes the shore of each track reminds me a bit of Slowdive’s Pygmalion. What Pygmalion doesn’t have ( most times) is the lushness of other instruments. Riviera does though. First you have Starfish Prime. Lonesome, yet inviting and hopeful washes of guitars intently surge at the shorescape. Next we have 815. Again its more Pygmalion but with lusher production and arrangement.
Revue is like the other three tracks as far as ambient soothingness. However the throb of the bass line makes it less droning and more rhythmic than the others. At least that is what grabs me. Each of the four have their merits. Last is The Empress. Trickling clean guitar arpeggiated runs with classic saturated reverb. This arpeggio repeats as to tell a wordless story. Perhaps all about The Empress herself ? The arpeggio opens into a wider sound scope in which I enjoy the clack of the drum however I’m uncertain if its a rim shot, snare, etc but it is of little consequence as I am immersed in the totality of the song itself. The Empress makes a nice ‘ambient pause’ and allows its non percussive instruments ring. It then gently floats and dissolves into silence.
If this is pleasing to you check out the prolific works including another EP that releases as I rush to get this live on the web plus much more https://robinguthrie.bandcamp.com/
Man-Eaters – “Twelve More Observations on Healthy Living”
Hey there, Rock n’ Rollas ! We got ourselves a new plate from the Chi-Town noise-makers The Man-Eaters released December 3rd… and what a way to round out the year! (not to be confused with the all female garage band of the same name). The album has enjoyed multiple listening sessions since the release. I covered their previous slab titled “Gentle Ballads for the Simple Soul” which was also heavy on my personal rotation.
Again coming in with an appropriately wacky, psyched-out cover art which, along with the tunes is another level of enjoyment for me.
To frame my the review of this band, let us, for a moment, discuss buzz words and catch phrases. These days in popular culture there are a lot of these bandied about on media sources such as… “iconic”, “G.O.A.T.”, “best life”, etc.
When it comes to music, we are also bombarded with descriptors that have a more than the occasional capacity to grate on the nerves. Describing your sound is important of course but some just get under my skin a little more than others. Bands will describe themselves as “emotional hardcore”, “street punk”, “blackened crust”, “grind-death-porno-stench-core” and among many others… “punk n’ roll”.
I am not looking for arguments necessarily, but with the last one in that list, it seems often that it relates to a group who seem hesitant to embrace punk or hardcore in its purest form/attitude. But I guess it gives them enough wiggle room to put on Doc Martens, have multiple tattoos (that I can’t afford) and refer to bars as a “pub” (and NOT being from the UK or Europe). A little danger but not too much as to be able to fit back in to society on some level when perceived to be necessary.
Now that I got that light criticism out of my system, I personally see the Man-Eaters as what I would rather have referenced when using that term.
Elements of punk, rock, but also psych/stoner rock presenting big rolling rhythms and beats. Competent but not “annoying” soloing on the guitar all of which sounds great when you crank the volume to 11, the Man-Eaters are just hit the right spots. You may hear it and judge it as a bit retro but I have no qualms about retro as long as it is done right. That is exactly how I feel about this band.
The vocals style really works for their sound. Kinda whacked out with a lot of energy. Sounding dirty and deranged with the well placed “Waaaoww!” shouts intertwined. It’s almost as if the music could have lost a bit of impact with out the vocal style presented. But not too much as the sound they have is solid and cohesive.
As far as the songs, I genuinely enjoy a majority of the tracks. However, there are definitely some highlights for me…
“Communal Cortege” which starts off sounding like a coked out Alice Cooper riffage reminiscent of the “School’s Out” opening (but that could just be just my ears). Really good drivin’ down the highway groove when I blast this out my speakers.This track also has a charming “Backyard Party” video viewable on their Bandcamp page!
https://man-eaters.bandcamp.com/album/twelve-more-observations-on-healthy-living
“Chemical Tomb” starts off with a great sound bite which I have no idea where it came from but it sets up this mid-tempo stomper very well.
“Charged T.C.B.” is about half way through this platter which I think really typifies their sound and sets them apart from other bands using punk and rock n’ roll as a musical vehicle. The vocals, the structure… this is what makes the Man-Eaters the Man-Eaters.
And last but not least, the ominous sounding and titled “Fresh Wet Boys”. This one is confusing for me, not sure whether to be scared or turned on! LOL! But seriously, an amazing track that you might argue is the closest to the hardcore influences musically.
Again, not a bad one in the bunch but those popped out at me with my initial impression.
Well whatever your pleasure, Man-Eaters really “do it for me” when I feel a deep down need to ROCK!!! I also think that if you like grimy, drugged out sounding rock n’ roll, you will like it too. Enjoy and your welcome!
Reviewer – Cuzface
Indoor Voices – I Hide –
I Hide does not conceal cascading velvety six string textures and breathy vocals. It’s like rich velour tones falling down on you repeatedly. Lend an ear to the voices https://indoorvoices.com/album/i-hide
I don’t know what the kids would classify this as but it’s kind of referencing classic shoegaze to me. Toe tapping drum and bass . Ending with some white noise that could be mimicking or actual rainfall. A fresh track indeed.. intentionally flowing into All That You Wish For .
This track has an interesting subdued warble. The droning dial is turned way up into experimental soundscape vistas. It gives way to a minimalistic night time sounding noise. This said noise could be artificially generated which is kind of cool but think of being in a rural area with the windows open on a warm evening. Very effective and unboring music for only two quick songs. I’d like to hear another that would be a companion to I Hide. Not necessarily the same type of song, just something to make a nice sandwich between the experimental dream like quality of All That You Wish For and I Hide
Thanks for tuning into the year end releases. Hope you all have a prosperous, fullfilling, rewarding, and healthy 2022. As previously said, support is great. Thanks for reading the zine, tapping on this blog, it means the world to me and I can’t thank you guys enough. Stay tuned for digital content that will hopefully measure up to last year and hopefully exceed it. Cheers