Review Summary: Instrumental post-rock has a new sound and it only took two members to make.
Have you ever loved seeing a band live but never ended up listening to recordings of them? Until Jazz Impressions of Cordyceps Fungi came out Motel Mattress was that band to me. Having mutual friends with the band I was brought to shows and needless to say I was impressed instantly. Not having any previous knowledge of the band my eyes lit up once I realized the only equipment being set up on stage was a drum set, guitar amp and a plethora of guitar pedals. I was hoping for a good instrumental act and that's what I got. Just last week I saw them play their CD release with
Giraffes? Giraffes! which was not only the day I picked up Jazz Impressions of Cordyceps Fungi but the first day I heard a recording of Motel Mattress.
Right of the bat I could tell this would be a good album. The intro to "Cutting The Plastic Rings" brought back memories of seeing them live right away. Turn the CD up in the car and at parts I swear you'd think you were there. All the clarity of the guitar effects and loops that I'm used to live was all there. It's hard for me not to compare them to Giraffes? Giraffes! since I saw they play back to back but, to get the idea the guitar work reminds me a lot of Giraffes? Giraffes! or
Russian Circles due to the effects, and looping. Yet the sound of Motel Mattress doesn't compare to those two. It's really a sound all in it's own taking influence from anywhere to beautiful sounds of post rock to chaotic noise music. The songs have parts a bit heavier too, which remind me more of sludgy, stoner metal riffs. For fans of that style certain parts will really stick out and serve as a nice treat. Add the math-y drumming on top of that and you have Motel Mattress.
Still being a rising band I don't want to be too critical. The tracks on the CD are great, and I know they'll be bringing out much more. The only thing I can criticize about this album is something a lot of guitar and drum bands suffer from and that's the bass. Do they need a live bassist?... No not at all. In fact that would probably screw with the chemistry they already have. Certain parts of the recordings do seem a little empty though. These are the only parts that separate the sound of me listening full volume in my car from that of the live show. So whether going away from the live recording feel and adding a couple bass tracks here and there or lowering the octave pedal setting to achieve more lows during certain parts I feel like the CD could benefit. For being only two members the sound is quite full either way.
Who does this album appeal to?... I'm not sure. It's hard to categorize it. Chances are if you like experimental or artsy music at all you can find something to like in it. I dare you to listen and try to tell me parts of "Vixen (it's now)" aren't stuck in your head. Here's where you can hear it if you're up for the challenge: http://motelmattress.bandcamp.com/album/jazz-impressions-of-cordyceps-fungi
I enjoy the music and enjoyed it enough that I decided I should lose my album review virginity over it. Jazz Impressions of Cordyceps Fungi provides creative music you can move around to, get high to or dust of the NES and play Megaman to. Check out the CD, or better yet see them live. They're good guys and are known to make some pretty lame jokes on stage. If only those were on they album they might have earned a perfect 5/5, haha.
