Review Summary: Rating based on how many inches reviewer's eyebrows were raised. You've never heard anything like this before.
Think about the most experimental, quirky album in your collection. Now imagine that album on acid. You’re not even close. I’m hesitant to give a rating to this EP. It feels as though there should be an entirely new rating scale devised just for this record. More than that, it feels as though there should be an entirely new genre. What that would be, I have no idea. As ridiculous and pretentious as it sounds, maybe post-music would actually fit the bill. I mean, it’s not really music. But at the same time, the conventions of music exist within the album. Does it suck? I’m not sure. I’m not sure of anything anymore. And it’s slightly terrifying.
I think it would be best to just describe the music and get the fu
ck out of here. I use the term ‘music’ loosely, and I use the term loosely even loosely…er. Interpret what you will from this. The band describe their sound as ‘if God, Satan and Bart Simpson had a threesome’ and, to be completely honest with you, that description is probably going to be as valid as any other. So maybe I should end this here? It would be advisable. I fear these seven tracks might implement a secret cult hypnosis upon me, but I’ll pursue.
Ok then. First track – ‘Angry Beavers’. What relevance that title has to the song I won't even bother guessing. It begins with a rumble. Then that oh so annoying sound of your modem trying to connect to the internet. But more than that, they’ve gone and added more screeching, tape-raping skitzes to the mix. Electronic beats come in and form some sort of rhythm, almost managing a head-bop. More electronic interference enters... for some reason. And that is that. You'll need to have cosmetic surgery to have your eyebrows lowered back to their normal position after hearing 'Banana Pancakes'. A turbulent child on autotune is singing his favourite tune, adding his own special charm (‘yeah that’s right bitch’), managing to sound wincingly, hilariously terrible even with the help of a machine. You can’t help but chuckle, albeit nervously, with one eye looking over your shoulder as the gongs and Mario bleeps practically force paranoia upon you. Think of this as the musical equivalent of the famous ‘rejected cartoons’.
‘Breaking The Ice’ continues off from the bipolar Jack Johnson fan’s anger fit with the sound of smashing ice, which somehow transitions into some house style breakbeats playing over echoing, indiscernible vocals and more internet-reminiscent static. Final track ‘Bazooka Joe’ revolves around this guy Joe, who apparently has been welcomed back and doesn't need to be alone, and in fact needs to ‘hang’ with whoever is insanely pleading for him. “HANG WITH ME JOE, HANG WITH ME JOE” plays incessantly. Distortion and two drums are the only other two components needed to make the band happy with ending the EP here. If their intention was to leave the listener speechless, confused, and afraid, then they certainly succeeded.
Let me put it this way. Going from Nuggies to a band like, say, Animal Collective, is like moving from a superhero convention held in a mental hospital in hell to a quiet jam-and-scones café in Devon. It really is like moving from one planet to another. It’s a relief to escape such insanity, but at the same time everything afterwards seems plain, vanilla, dull, achingly ordinary. It compels you to return to the scene of the crime and get your hands even dirtier. Explore a world where every dark corner promises a new kind of freak, escape the boredom and the grind of everything else. Intriguing doesn’t even cover it. Somehow they leave you wanting more, yet unable to listen to another second. There’s no point on me elaborating any further, it’s almost ineffable. Is it art? That's subjective. Luckily, the band are giving the EP away for free so you can experience this twisted underworld first-hand. Go ahead and plunge headfirst into a viscous ocean of nutty electronica, ridiculous samples, and sheer, naked terror. Curious? You should be.
