Godfrey Turner Overdrive - TV | EP

Godfrey Turner Overdrive

TV | EP
self-released; 2013

3.9 out of 5

By Sean Dennison

Sick name, brute music. You even know you're in for trouble when you hear the sinister fretting on the opener "Death Drives." This is dark, heady punk rock from Australia, a continent that has a lot to be punk about. Godfrey Turner Overdrive itself is comprised of five bitter souls who, on this EPTV/EP, translate their chagrin into four songs that are as long as they are powerful.

People have this misconception that punk songs must be inherently short in order to capture the tenuous longevity of life and the scene. Not so for this EP. The shortest song is more than four minutes long. Despite the length, the songs never lose steam. And rather than sustaining a particular idea, the band can transition into softer numbers that leave room for contemplation, and it gives the band time to recharge. "Bleeding Mistakes" for the most part relies on sheaths of guitar noise that give way to a bridge that has more in common with late 90s emotional music before transitioning back into a noisy coda.

"Before I Walk" establishes tension with the choked vocals of Jacob Bowden and the drums of Jacob Pickett, occasionally giving way to adventurous guitar licks. Closer "Dead Birds" follows suit with a gentle opening that slides into an avalanche of guitars and drums. While TV/EP  borrows a good amount of emo elements (the vocals, the musical set-ups), the music is still firmly rooted in punk rock (maybe a redundant statement). 

Guitarists James Buchanan and Chris Bennetts tear it apart at all times and Pickett establishes himself as a powerful drummer with a distinct sound presence. Their bursts of energy are short and sweet, and while I wasn't kidding about the songs not losing steam, the band creates the fun effect of having three punk songs in one, using their softer approach to add a sense of rhythm.

Heck, the only real complaint I have is bassist Peter Hall gets a bit shafted. There is quite a bit of noise to get through before you realize his bass lines are quite astute. Otherwise, recommended, a fun listen for those in a physically aggressive mood.

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