Turf Haus “Demo 2015” C30 (Papermade Records)

So I have this theory: the first three songs on an album will give you a pretty wholesome idea regarding the music that the album entails.

I tested the theory out, and it seems to have worked pretty well. Alright fellow citizens of the musical orient, let’s start dissecting those three tracks here:

Woah. What’s up with that first track?“Bury Me” opens with a cute little tune played over the light air of background static. Then someone starts singing. These vocals have been overlayed twice and one of them is compressed so hard that in any other situation it would sound out-of-place and annoying, but it blends so well with the music so far that you go with it. The product isn’t just tolerable, it’s pleasing. Then they go and add chimes. Chimes! Who doesn’t love a good chime? Not me, certainly!

“---“ is a metal song. Crazy, I know. This is like some sort of watered down thrash metal song reminiscent of those crazy high school days, where the goths would mosh quietly off in the corner by the never-been-used janitor’s closet. I’m sure I’d enjoy it more if it rendered in more than half a kbps. But it gives you some idea of the other songs on the tape.

“Skuller Drum” is soft and combines the elements of experimental rock and the features of electronica music with the song of a classic rock artist. Can you picture it? A lonely man singing in an empty, windy, mystical city, where his guitar is his only company and he uses the static sounds of the surrounding generators to beautify his craft. It’s a moving sight. It’s a moving sound.

The album is more punksperimental than metal. It’s not that bad an album. It’s not something I’d buy personally, but I can appreciate their craft. #ymmv

https://tvrfhavs.bandcamp.com/

–M. Syed

POST LIFE “Living Can Wait” C30 (Papermade Records)

“Indie” is the genre this album is listed under, and accurately so. A more accurate genre name would be "Indie With A Brewing Proclivity Towards Success." I determined this after giving the tape two listens. In my first listen I wasn’t sure what to think. Could it be? Am I really listening to grade-A indie material? In my second listen I found out.

Warehauz is as pure as it is raw. It's garnished by the super abstract lyrics it presents. It was a good idea making this the first track on the album; it makes the listener aware that they've popped in a pretty great tape to listen to.

23 reminisces of happier songs from days of yore. And by "yore", I refer to the early 2000s. You won't be able to help singing along to the "high–HIGH-er, high–HIGH-er, now~"s wherever they appear. Embrace these catchy rhythms. Give in.

The lack of lyrics in Serotonin paints a far prettier picture than the track would with any more words. Seretonin? More like... play for Conan... it's a stretch, but that's the way you're headed.

Tabasco is as spicy a track as you imagine. The shift to a male vocalist was not a bad decision at all; I laud it. He's a tasty, tasty speaker. This band burns with potential. 

Prey is the little ditty you heard as a child, the one they played briefly as television transitions on some channels. It's nostalgic. It's anti-prophetic. It's art.

NextGen is my favorite track on the album, and here’s why: the "singing seamstress", Brianna, uses a voice different from the fairy-tale-esque high pitched whisper-scream tone she uses in the rest of the tracks; the result is a marvelous one, especially because the song itself was so damn catchy! 

Dissolve makes apparent the potential in the vocalist’s throat. Just take a moment to admire the highs and lows of her singing. It's more than decent. It's more than noticeable.

And last, but not least, the song Post Life; it describes its namesake band perfectly. I just really really really like it. It reminds me of the Strokes. I picture them as the Strokes of an alternate universe, with a Brianna Casablancas for the lead singer. That’s the best way for me to describe the album in general, really. This is the second coming of one of the greatest indie bands ever to have existed. There are myriad gaps that the Strokes skipped over in their conquest of the indie rock genre, and Post Life seeks to fill them with their own music.

This is the kind of band whose future you stay wary of. These folks–– Brianna, Michael, Erik, and Greg–– showed a ton of potential in this album. Only their sophomore album will tell where they get. I have very high hopes for this band. I wish you luck, Post Life. I’m certainly glad to own your tape. It’s a damn good album. :')

So now let’s do the maths.

Two points for reminding me of my favorite band, another for a sweet album cover, and take a point for every member. Actually, yeah, sure, have another point. I’ll take it from Holy Hills.

Your album scored an 8/10 on my scale. That's remarkable. You're remarkable.


https://postlifela.bandcamp.com/
https://papermademusic.bandcamp.com/

-- Mansoor Syed



P.S. High expectations. Don't disappoint.