| Summary: A fun, quirky record, which successfully, and unpretentiously, combines the aesthetics of math rock with the mechanics of post rock. |
5 of 5 thought this review was well written
I’d liken Joseph Andreoli and Kenneth Topham, the bearded duo behind ‘Giraffes? Giraffes’, to a couple of naughty science students, in a well respected school, carrying out a practical experiment. Two inconspicuously bright fellows, they’re intelligence is hidden to their peers beneath a veil of twisted mischief. One day, the class is asked to investigate the reaction between two different, but slightly similar compounds, math rock and post rock. Not content with the typical, unspectacular product they were expecting when you breed pretentiousness, Ken and Joe decided that their experiment needed ‘mixing up a bit’. In classic rascal fashion, the boys added their ‘special ingredient’ (the legend still roams the halls) and the shocking result was a marvellous looking, odd sounding, fizzy product of utter intrigue. The boys claim they knew that would happen all along.
‘More Skin with Milk-Mouth’ is the second album from the California based psychedelic twosome, and offers a much-welcomed improvement over their notable debut ‘Superbass!!!’. While their debut showed promise in the form of impressive technical ability, charismatic song-writing, and smile-shaping originality, that was basically what the album was, a promise. But on their second outing, G?G! has shown that they are firm believers in never breaking a promise. They’ve not only kept up their end of the bargain though, they have in fact added a sweetener to the deal, the experimentation on this album is far greater than before, not only in instrument usage, but in the dynamics of the song-writing and structure.
‘More Skin with Milk-Mouth’ may strike you initially as more of a math rock affair but listen closely and instead of finding raucous time-signature twists and chaotic jerking guitars, you’ll hear strong, simple melodies in the form of frantic fret tapping, that build upon the ideas of one another, leading up to well timed, lively shifts in song structure. While the technical capabilities of the artists oblige a thorough admiration on the surface, the intelligence and strength of the song dynamics provide room for a much deeper appreciation and connection in each of the five tracks. “When The Catholic Girls…” begins in typical math rock fashion, frenzied tapping and inventive drumming – but the guitar tapping forms a melody, and the drums form a changing beat. When the shift comes, and the real guitar solo begins, one can’t but help nod their head and tap their feet in appreciation. Never one to rest on their laurels, there is always something in MSWMM to keep you interested. “A Quick One…” is one of the standout tracks, repeatedly delivering fresh melodies and exciting build-ups, forming creative climaxes to go with curled lips.
The ‘special ingredient’ injected into the record is simply their charming sense of fun. It runs throughout the album, in the album art, the song names, even in the usually pretentious spoken word section at the end of the second track “I Am S/h(im)e[r]…”. The words themselves, in a different album, would draw rolled eyes from listeners for sure, but in MSWMM they work perfectly. The odd voice and subject matter complement the quirkiness of the fuzzy guitars, creating a sense of humour within the sounds, and it’d be difficult for a smile not to be drawn across your face. And really, despite being the obvious contrast to what you would expect, fun is what the record is about. It’s an easy-going, addictive, down-to-earth approach to both genres, but with the intelligence to carry out purposeful experimentation, allowing for emotive connections to be shaped between the music and the listener.
‘Giraffes? Giraffes!’ have accomplished something quite unique in ‘More Skin with Milk-Mouth’. Yes, there is a noticeable lack of innovativeness, the dynamic focus sometimes dwindles, and the music can occasionally drip into the realm of ‘too much’, but the charm, intelligence, and technicality of the album can’t be denied. It’s a shock, really, that a band which fuses two of the most pretentious genres in music creates one of the most fun, quirky, and utterly unpretentious albums of 2007.
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Album Rating: 4
You son of a bitch, guess I'll never post my Giraffes review, wasn't that good anyways.
My God this has been my "dig" for ages.
Let it be known that "When the catholic girls go camping, the nicotine vampires rule supreme", is prob one of the best math rock songs performed and ANYONE who likes math-rock owes it to themselves to listen to it.
P.S you ****ing rule for reviewing this.
Digging: Russian Circles - Station | | | Album Rating: 4
If the genre can be changed to post rock, its better off in there. Anyway, www.myspace.com/giraffesgiraffes they offer a fair amount of tracks from both their albums.
And cheers buddy, I definitely side with you on Catholic Girls. Listen to that, it's impossible not to like.
This Message Edited On 02.28.08
Digging: Saltillo - Ganglion | | | Album Rating: 4
You know I'd say the majority of tracks aim towards post-rock but I feel Catholic girls leans more to the math rock side and that sounds crazy cause you don't hear guitar solos too often in the genre if any.
The best track on their myspace is "I am s/h(im)e[r]" the longest running track on the album and IMO the second best track on the album.
This Message Edited On 02.28.08
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Just listened to the first two tracks off their myspace. I think I'll check the rest of this out. Good review.
Digging: Estatic Fear - A Sombre Dance
| | | Album Rating: 3
This is good, not that good.
Digging: Animal Collective - Feels | | |
Goddamn this is the worst band name I've ever seen.
Digging: E-40 - My Ghetto Report Card
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I wasn't a fan of this at all when I listened to it ages back, it seemed very masturbatory and I wasn't fond of the production.
Digging: Front Line Assembly - Tactical Neural Implant
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Basically what meatplow said. Good review though.
Digging: Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
| | | Album Rating: 3
Some good stuff they've composed, not at all easy to listen to though, or particularly appealing. The album cover's cool.
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I wanted to love this because they have the best band name of all time, but it's kinda boring for the most part. So much better stuff going on in this style right now.
Digging: Los Campesinos! - Sticking fingers Into Sockets | | | Album Rating: 4.5
THIS IS terrific
Digging: Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People | | | Album Rating: 3.5
this was alright stuff, it has its good moments. My buddy is in love with this band though.
Digging: Mark Hollis - Mark Hollis | | | Album Rating: 4
Strange, I thought this would lose it's appeal. It hasn't, it's still great. Also, the production from the last album isn't great, this is much better.
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