Review Summary: Sometimes New Zealand doesn't suck.
Damsels are (for lack of better words/writing talent) a spazzy, noisy, experimental post-punk band with some of the sweetest melodies ever. They play songs about holding hands in the dark and how you are boring, though not coming off as pretentious indie kids who probably play songs about the same things. Damsels are also an insanely original band. Taking influences from noise rock, which is largely displayed in the screechy guitar adding a frustrated feel
to the songs; post-hardcore and screamo, shown in the fast tempo and unusual high pitched shrieks; and "indie music" with lyrics about girls and amazing melodies. With their debut EP, Damsels manage to create something entirely new and interesting in music.
The EP starts with a repeated drum beat surrounded by low feedback and whispered vocals, which soon changes into distorted guitar playing over one of the coolest sounding effects on a bass guitar I have ever heard. Unlike many releases, the EP does not get dull at all through it's eighteen minutes. The songs are not overly different from each other, but all progress differently on the same basic sound Damsels perform. Throughout the EP the vocals constantly change between loud yells, careless singing and powerful screaming aiding the spazz sound of Damsels. The guitar, drums and bass seem to be doing completely different things at times, luckily always keeping together enough to not sound awful. Damsels also incorporate stumbling keyboard and beautiful piano into a few of their songs, just to make things more interesting.
I can say without a doubt that the Damsels EP is one of my favourite releases of 2009, and all time.
-a
