Take a Worm for a Walk Week fall into that strange subset of bands that are neither grind nor hardcore but possess traits from both genres, displaying wacky high-pitched guitars, chaotic drumming and somewhat ridiculous vocals (reminiscent of early Daughters). But whereas Daughters and the like often sounded menacingly dark and deranged, TAWFAWW have a humorous and catchy feel to them. The fact that there’s a cover of Devo’s “Whip It” on The Monroe Transfer is testament to that, and it’s the perfect song choice to adapt to TAWFAWW’s style as it’s already a ridiculous song and when given an aggressive spazz tint it’s hilariously fun. In fact you’d be forgiven for thinking “Whip It” wasn’t a cover, as tracks like “Snuffleupagus” and “Turkish Snowcone” replicate its stop-start catchiness with a post hardcore influenced grind twist to surprising efficiency.
Vocally, The Monroe Transfer is a bastion of nonsense as vocalist Joseph Quimby whoops, moans, and screams in comical tones over rumbling grind fills and squealing circus-like riffs, in a similar approach to that seen on label mate Down I Go’s “Disastercore” LP. This is hardcore with a manic grin, a non-serious take on a genre which often takes itself all too seriously. However, there’s only so much this style can do and the lack of depth works against it, as while the ride is certainly enjoyable it is also very immediate, and the run time of 16 minutes leave little to be digested. Quimby moaning “we’re not even lovers” with a hint of worry may be amusing, but it’s not vocally impressive and the same can be said for the instrumentation, which although solid often sounds like Daughters riffs rehashed. But, for the short run-time and a bunch of songs that all fall under the two minute mark The Monroe Transfer is a surprisingly accessible and catchy grind spazz-out, that succeeds in at least having a sense of humor and some self-awareness.
