Hope Is NoiseThis quartet based out of Cork, Ireland (also home to Rimbaud Records) are apparently a favorite of their area, which I wouldn't doubt for a minute. And I must say, I love the band name because when you think about it, it is the straight up truth. They have a style that is similar to ...Trail of The Dead, early Whipping Boy, Drive By Jehu/Hot Snakes and though not stylistically the same, they have some Fugazi-ish type moments.
This 11 song full length is the band's first properly released album to my knowledge. This was one of those album's that I liked when I first popped it on but it wasn't until about the 7th-8th spin that I really started to thoroughly enjoy it. Now you may think, "ah if you didn't like it through the first 6, what changed your mind?" Well, it's not that I don't listen to, or enjoy this brand of music because surprisingly I do but these kind of albums have to creep underneath your skin and I didn't want to throw up a review without giving its proper chance.
From the album's opener, "Lions Led By Donkey's" to the closing track "I Live With Bruce Banner", where the vocalist even shouts "This is the end!" the band moves through it's motions effortlessly. Each song flows so nicely into the next, and there is no filler on here, each one of the 11 songs are just as good as the next.
The one thing that I really had to warm up to, to really appreciate the album, was the vocals but man, after some additional listens I am now a fan. Even though it is clean singing, which no matter the circumstance, usually, I can't get down. Just something about his voice that, it's aggressive yet soothing at the same time, a paradox I know.
Man is this a superb recording, it sounds so crystal clear. The bass tone is so lush and warm and it is mixed in perfectly with the drums, which also sports an absolutely gorgeous warm and full sound, the tone just seems to jump right out at you. The mix and placement of the vocals fits in beautifully with the music. The guitar tone, oh yes the guitar tone, so good! Another wonderful thing about the recording is that the tones will shift the slightest to accommodate the mood, like the bass tone and kick getting an extra bit of punch in the closing track.
Usually I'll bitch and moan because the label/band have neglected to put the lyrics in the booklet or didn't include a lyric sheet with a record, etc,. Well, that happens here but the cover painting by Diarmid Shortall of a man holding onto the gutter for his dear life as a friend reaches out to save him, more than makes up for it. Don't know why but the painting really struck a chord with me, just instinct I suppose. So even though the booklet is only two panels and contains no lyrics, it doesn't really matter.
Rating: 3.7/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Lions Led By Donkeys, Stare At Bridges Burned and I Live With Bruce Banner
Synopsis: If you like any of the band mentioned earlier in the review, definitely give an ear to these guys. It may be a bit hard to track down this album if you're from here in America, but you'll definitely be able to get it from both labels involved. Check out some songs at the band's page.
Hope Is Noise MySpace
Rimbaud Records MySpace
Rimbaud Records MySpace