Pamplemousse – Think Of It
|
|
Four years after their energetic second longplayer High Strung, Pamplemousse from Réunion are back with their third album Think Of It, which sees the trio reduced to a duo after deciding to continue without a bass player. The noise rockers are still firmly rooted in the early nineties sound of labels like Amphetamine Reptile and Touch and Go, and name artists like Fugazi, Unsane, Shellac… among their influences. The lack of bass guitar takes some of the deeper tones out of their general sound, which adds a garage touch to it all. I’ll be frank: I was afraid I’d miss the bass guitar, but the guitar covers more ground this time around, which makes for a certain wall of sound effect that at times reminds me of sometimes of early Sonic Youth. The trashy garage attitude at times shows parallels to The Cramps. Nicolas (guitar / lead vocals) and Sarah (drums / backing vocals) have been working for a long time on the album, and although the songs have a very raw and distorted nature, the production is very powerful. But beware: if you want to enjoy the music to the fullest, you have to listen to it at maximum volume! The songwriting is where the band has really worked hardest. The opener Mexican Boy is a hypnotic noise rock song with a muggy flair that fits their home island’s tropical climate. Empty Pool is a catchier piece, although no less noisy. Derry, Maine is at a little over two minutes the shortest track but still convinces with its distorted guitar attacks. One Million Doors is the surprise song on the album, as it comes with a definite indie rock touch and an unforgettable melody. Fat Hollywood ends the first half in a heavy, abrasive way. The second half begins with the equally brutal Vicious Mind, a fast-paced track that will stick with you. Cactus is at six and a half minutes the album’s longest song, and especially its second half mesmerises with broad noisy guitar parts. I’m Not Dietsch is the first single, a short and concise track with a memorable guitar riff sequence. The album ends with the long La ballade de Steve, another track that lets you feel the humid climate of the duo’s island in the Indian Ocean. The duo made a virtue out of necessity by allowing both musicians more space in the overall sound of their music. I guarantee that if you spend enough time with Think Of It, you will no longer miss the bass guitar, as the songs are more engaging in the past and show a band that has matured over the last few years. Pamplemousse, which is the French word for grapefruit, have developed quite their own sound and should appeal to fans of hard kicking, no-nonsensea garage noise rock. |
|
9 songs |
|
|
36:47 minutes |
|
|
***** *** |
|
|
Genre: garage noise rock Label: A Tant Rêver du Roi |
|
