You can listen to a bit of it and enjoy it a lot but after an extended play I started to feel a bit queasy… its like a nice cake; its alright until you have too much of it.
You can listen to a bit of it and enjoy it a lot but after an extended play I started to feel a bit queasy… its like a nice cake; its alright until you have too much of it.
These Arms Are Snakes – Easter
When I read the description of these lot on Wikipedia – yes Wikipedia, it’s always reliable nobody ever tells fibs on the internet – I didn’t think this band were going to be much cop.
Seattle based, post-hardcore quintet… I’ve thought of post hardcore as being a posh word for emo but, on sticking the CD in the player, These Arms are Snakes sounded to me like a moody rock tool style affair. I should point out that these were my initial impressions on hearing the opener, Mescaline Eyes, and if you ever want a piece of advice about reviewing, it’s this. Don’t judge a CD by its first track. So like you do, I kept on listening and the second track Horse Girl had a lot more going for it; it’s spunky; the bass funks it’s thang well enough and the guitar seems to be falling all over the place, but somehow it fits. It’s got a bit of a disco feel to it, if you want a reference, something like The Rapture in a bit of a bad mood. The funk thang seems to be a bit of a theme throughout the album, (check out the laid back funk on Lady North) and there’s nothing too hardcore to put you off but still, your nan wouldn’t like it. Your parents probably wouldn’t be too fond of it either.
As an LP Easter is good, but there is a downfall. The band seem to run out of ideas, If you’re not paying much attention all the songs seem to merge into each other and sound the same and well, it grates somewhat. You can listen to a bit of it and enjoy it a lot but after an extended play I started to feel a bit queasy… its like a nice cake; its alright until you have too much of it. This might just be a personal opinion but there isn’t much differentiation in this album spiritually. However on the last track, Crazy Woman Dirty Train, somebody must have given them a kick up the arse because that’s a definite winner. Conclusion? Get somebody to kick them up the arse more often and they will be onto something.
Words: Morgan Lane