Post-rock goodness
lovemenot have been busy lately, rising up into the Perth/Boorloo post rock scene rapidly. Following the release of a couple of solid singles, they now have their first EP on the table. It’s an intriguing snapshot of the band.
Opening with Waltz, we immediately get hit by the guitar work of Michael Bourguignon and the scene is set for an album full of punishing riffs. The rest of the band quickly join in the fun and we’re in full swing. The first thing that becomes apparent is how well the band play together; it’s clear they have been playing together for some time. The dynamics are on full display here as well, with the band dropping to quieter parts, letting singer Eleanor Edwards show off her vocal range before the band explodes in the heavier parts.
The Tower comes in heavy and is relentless in its attack, and probably the strongest song on the record from a radio-friendly perspective. It’s big and heavy with a catchy chorus. It gets interesting in the middle, where it breaks down into gentle keys before going into a jazz freakout.
The most interesting track on the EP has to be As Above… It’s an unexpected turn from the heavier post rock making up the rest of the record. It’s a gorgeous, stripped back song that sounds like it was recorded in someone’s backyard. With soft acoustic guitar and birds chirping for the intro, the song then proves a showcase for Edwards vocal abilities, with pleading lyrics singing “I’ll try, I’ll try, try again”.
This is lovemenot, so of course the track doesn’t end with this. The second half of the song has a movie-soundtrack-like build-up as the rest of the band come in. The noise builds to a crescendo that seeps into …So Below. The fourth track is a continuation and clocks in at only forty-seven seconds long. It presents as a bridge between the quiet middle track and the epic finale. The washed-out distorted guitars are reminiscent of Interpol at their most post.
The EP finishes with the just-under-eight-minute Void. The tune is probably the most punk-rock-influenced and is awash with big guitars, vocals, synths and pounding rhythm work. Extra mention to Qayla Locke for the frantic synth work on the song. It moves at a non-stop pace for the first half, peaking in the middle before the band settle back into a steady jam for the finale. A descent into noise concludes the record, with one little flourish to finish, almost teasing how much further the band can push this sound.
With everything from hard, fast post rock to quieter, contemplative moments, the Strike !! Between the Teeth EP is a great showcase of what the band can do, and the live show is equally dynamic.
lovemenot are launching Strike !! Between the Teeth this Saturday, May 16 at The Bird.
