earworms - earworms

Earworms 

Earworms
Money Fire Records/Dead Broke Rekerds; 2014

3.7 out of 5

By J Simpson

Earworms self-titled record Earworms is a combination of punk thrash intensity and metallic chops, investigating themes from inner space to the far reaches of the cosmos. Earworms illustrate that not only hippies are interested in the mysteries of consciousness, or care about the Earth.

To quote St. Lydon, "Anger is an energy.” That is, sometimes the "it's all good, go with the flow" path of spiritual least resistance is not the best way. Sometimes you've got to get worked up! Sometimes you've got to fight for the right - to be yourself, to exist on this planet, to have a life of dignity. Sometimes you have to fight for peace.

Earworms live up to their name, as they ensconce their metaphysical metaphors in catchy vocal harmonies and classic songwriting. They are tight, fast, precise, and could find fans amongst the emo contingent, as well as progressive, psychedelic metal, from bands like Tool or Isis. They are not nearly as over-complicated as either of those bands, however. Their rock is more stripped down, more efficient. They rely on the double barrel blast of blast beats and shredding, soaring solos, and actually knowing their own material.

This comes from a long history in the underground. Members have played in a long list of underground metal bands, around New York. Earworms are coming out, fully formed, with a fully formed mission statement. A dangerous combination.

The band I was most reminded of was Louisville, Kentucky's Coliseum that plays classic metal and thrash like a biker gang. This is raw, undiluted barebones rock 'n roll fury. There's a minimum of post-production, instead this is what it sounds like in a circle pit on a Monday night. This is the sound of the true underground, but it's so well delivered, that it would be appreciated by anybody.

Catchy. Infectious. Powerful. Informed. Well-considered. Earworms negates the assumption that all metal fans are hairy knuckle draggers, and to save this world, it takes all types. 

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