Pitch Perfect
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

carnal unit/adm - thick nothing

4/12/2013

5 Comments

 
Picture
Carnal Unit/ADM

Thick Nothing
self-released; 2013

4.2 out of 5

By Matt Jensen
Thick Nothing is a split EP between Carnal Unit and ADM. Carnal Unit is a project amongst a group of people that have lived and played together for some time. That being said this is a new project. I’m not sure what their previous material sounded like but I’m happy they decided to start playing together as Carnal Unit. They have an utterly unique sound that combines electronic elements, harmonized vocals, synths and organic instruments. The other half of the EP is ADM, which is the solo project of Adam Petersen who plays drums in Carnal Unit and brings his own originality to the EP.  This EP fuses together experimental tendencies with a pop sensibility that creates a thoroughly diverse yet enjoyable experience.

The first song is “Sachristy” from Carnal Unit and starts with a meditative sound that seemed to combine cut up vocal samples before a lead synth is introduced and the sample dissolves. The song quickly stabilizes as drums and vocals are introduced. I am always a sucker for vocal harmonizes involving both sexes and this delivers them with meticulous care and timing – sometimes singing together, while at other times leaving the male lead alone. Their ability to interweave the vocal phrases must be listened to in order to be fully appreciated. Not since other contemporaries such as the Dirty Projectors have I enjoyed a band’s ability not only to harmonize but also to create enough variation within the songs to make me care. The harmonizes aside the song is incredibly catchy and has a ridiculously infectious Amazonian type chorus.

The second track “Four Nothing” comes from ADM, which is a rhythmically adventurous yet sparse song that hangs in the air almost ready to fall apart at a moment’s notice. Instead of falling apart you start to get the feeling that every single step has been thought out. The electronic piano creates a warm atmosphere but the complexity of the percussion is what makes your ears pay attention. The vocals are viscerally charged emotional surges that arise on occasion.

So I knew right away these kids are more talented then your average musician but wasn’t expecting the emotional reawakening that is displayed on the third track from Carnal Unit “The Thick.” This is the kind of emotion that might be expected from Antony and the Johnsons but I wasn’t quite expecting from these guys. The song starts with piano and vocals and gradually builds with strings, a crescendo and harmonizes.

The last and longest song on the album “Lantern” is from ADM whom I’m guessing was classically trained on the piano. Some would consider the piano piece avant-garde but I think it’s just really good. I was so focused on the complex timing that I was a bit shocked to hear vocals pop in a little after the two-minute mark.

After listening to this EP anybody who knows anything about music will realize that all these individuals are incredibly gifted. I got the sense that this is what these guys do most of the time. They studied theory, know how to clap out 7/8 time and probably listen to John Cage and Penderecki. I may not listen to another standard rock song in 4/4 for quite some time. This four-song EP was a wonderful teaser and left me thirsty for a full-length EP from both artists.
bandcamp
5 Comments
VV
4/12/2013 01:07:45 am

shit! these kids are talented

Reply
SS
4/12/2013 02:39:45 am

this is mad good -

Reply
Brad
4/12/2013 06:48:15 am

The video is captivating - it sounds really good - is it live?

Reply
ADM
4/12/2013 08:52:49 am

live!

Reply
JJ
4/14/2013 11:33:59 pm

This is great - original and full of talent

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure. We feature a wide variety of genres like americana, electronic, pop, rock, shoegaze, ambient, and much more.

    Massive thanks to @pitchperfect158 for the expertly written review of our tune, Chapter 1, from the Tangents EP . Check it out here. ❤️https://t.co/TIDRHi9vyB

    — AuldWhiteLabel (@AuldWhiteLabel) February 1, 2025

    For those of you craving some real music journalism to cut through the tide of AI generated nonsense we seem to be drowning in check out this from Matt Jensen at @pitchperfect158 https://t.co/9Kf8GMgnvM

    — Garfield Mayor (@garfieldmayor) January 31, 2025
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter

PR Services

PR Services
© Pitch Perfect 2025. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact