Review Summary: "I don't think you guys appreciate the fact that I'm currently, actually ejaculating blood"
I’m not easily impressed in terms of music. Anything that goes through MTV and the sorts doesn’t ring a bell to me, and like-wise, dance and electro are only there for night entertainment purposes. My favourite bands, though sputnik’s community favourites, are simply not known in my town.
Every once in a while I decide to dive my head in the web in search of “something more”. I’ve come across jewels like Poison the Well, Converge and Glassjaw when I was younger, and even now as an adult I am surprised by the quality of some bands that come out of nowhere. This review was supposed to be written a few months ago, but oh-time is scarce. But here goes my appreciation of Look What I Did best album to date.
We start off in a heavy tone with Six Flags over Jesus. Your stereo is pouring something new and fresh. Then singer Barry Donegan enters to talk about religious mischiefs, and boy, does he means business! ( “Why have you got an ATM machine in the house of the lord?”). The guitars are twisted as hell and yet, there is some strangely-appealing harmony to them.
If you thought the first one was kinda of sick and crazy, just wait until you advance to the next, Fade To Daft. This is the unofficial song of junkies – it may make no sense, especially the lyrics but boy are you going to get high on it! Right around the final curve, Barry voice starts coming off as an angel – one that will take you singing to hell.
Jekyll Island Fiat Scratch is all about “monnies”. The bass gets it going early on, and leads a never-ending assault on your senses. Again, you can see what a fantastic singer Barry is – he will be crushing your head against a concrete wall and next thing you now, he’ll be holding your head and petting it saying “ And I’ll burn your bank to the ground” ( and you’ll be throughoutly enjoy it).
At this point I was like “man, what I ride! But I’m sure the fourth steps down a bit, it’s going to be slow…”. In part, I was right. Except it does not step down a bit. If Fade to Daft was a junkie song, Holding Pattern is a junkie anthem. Your eyes will close on their own when you listen to this, it’s that compelling.
I’m Majoring in Psychology! Well, not exactly in Psychology, but this song just plain represents what I think about college ( “Let’s spend our parents money”, anyone=?). Barry sounds like is out-of-this-world horny for his teacher!
And comes My Girlfriend, Leo Strauss. And no, I’m not gay for a politician/filosofer. But I will admit the chorus on this one is my favourite on the whole album, it just packs so much emotion.
The last on was a bit more on the serious side, and I quite appreciated it. But these guys remind you they’re not your average band, and they give the Serf Song. Wacky go-go. This is my official song for getting pumped up. Barry explodes in wackiness when he sings “I am pushed against the wall” and “This isn’t any fun!”.
When Shit $ started, admit you thought this was the instumental on the album. But then the whole thing keeps on pounding harder and harder until you get a nose bleed. It features one of my favourite quotes of all times (“this is the type of gathering I hate/you're having so much fun and I can't relate”).
Ah, Pussy Comitatus. Only Look What I Did could make a song about a rapist work the way this does – it pleases you. Enough said, song speaks for itself.
If you tought you had seen all of it, the band commands you to Quit It. This quicks the album up a notch in crazyness. Then Barry calms down for some seconds, and again he punches you hard in the stomach – and you’re bound to have diarrhea for at least one month.
Every time I listen to the album, I remind myself that the first ten tracks where pumping me up for the gem that is Haematospermia. If the man tells you he came blood, you’ll come too – for the entire song. I still haven’t mentioned the guitar players, Chris Bradley and Ty Coughlin. They’ve been creating this image of the band in your head, that I think it will never get out. Yes, they’re that good.
Then the ballad you wanted comes in.
Baby Darwins is sipping into your hears slowly, yet fatally. You’ll be humming “What if it was you right now/Let’s make it you right now/And see how you like it” all the time, no matter where you are. A perfect ending to a perfect album.
As a side note, I’d like to thank Sputnikmusic staff for bringing to public these relatively young talents, and all the community for embracing the new music.
Highlights:
- Just listen to the whole album, you’ll thank me.
