mammoth murmur - mammoth

Mammoth Murmur

Mammoth
self-released; 2013

3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Hailing from Boston, MA, Mammoth Murmur has been together for about six months or so.They met each other in 2013 and already have a little teaser of an EP entitled Mammoth. The band consists of Jacob Aviner (vocals, guitar) who is the main songwriter, Andrew Peck (drummer), Sebastian Leal (bass) and Claire Goh (violin). For playing together for such a relatively short time.
 
It’s hard not to be impressed by the chemistry they are displaying on this EP. They fuse styles, don't self-indulge and know when to restrain for the betterment of the song. 

One of the best contributing factors that makes these songs work is the parts that Goh comes up with on her violin. The sad sweeping swirls of violin on the first song “Portraiture” adds multiple dimensions of emotional resonance that would otherwise be left vacant. The violin is an essential ingredient to “Portraiture” but everyone else in the band holds their weight as well. Aviner is a good vocalist who has a suitable voice and inventive lyrics, while the bass plays in the pocket with the drums.

“Ink and Paper” is a song in which Aviner delivers a solid vocal performance and sings metaphorical lyrics such as “Bleed your pen paper, Fold a crane, write a name. Send it round the river bed” that is fun to pick apart. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the song is the nonchalant whistling that occurs a little more than half way through the song. 

Mammoth closes with “Prime” which is the strongest as well as the most melancholy track on the album. I loved the jazz influenced drumming the song starts with that creates a nice backbone for the rest of the instruments to rest upon.It was also nice to have the bassist flex his muscles towards the end of the song.

The only complaint I have with this EP is the production is a bit sub par at points. For instance, I thought the guitar was a bit too low in the mix on the first song. Aside from that the songs are solid and a good starting point for a band that has just started their journey.

Become A Fan

bandcamp