Richard Cranium
Self-titled CD
self-released
Genre: math-rock, post-hardcore
Indianapolis, USA
Dec 2008 |
If you haven't figured out what Richard Cranium is a
euphemism for, you haven't thought about it hard enough. That or you
might be a dickhead yourself. The three
folks behind all this noise may be young -
in fact, their guitarist is merely 18 – but this debut EP exudes an
impressive knowledge of historic indie rock, sneaking nods to
post-hardcore and math-rock and referencing the likes of Don
Caballero, Hella, and Rumah Sakit. This is
aggressive and angular indie rock with a hardcore edge, steeped in
dissonance and a whacked-out rhythm section. The record may not have
the urgency or melodic sensibility of some of the band's more complex
brethren, but they certainly show promise. I would have preferred more
tautness on some of these songs (for example, the cymbal-orgy that is
"Bury St. Edmunds behind the Royal Exchange"),
but I'm still impressed by their free compositions and nifty guitar
work. "Kites on Mute" is one of the record's most interesting tracks;
though perhaps guilty of a bit too much diddling, it merges a bizarre
sense of melody with some wacky instrumental interplay and a hectic
atmosphere. Such is the formula that works best for Richard Cranium.
Good stuff.
75%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 6 tracks, released
2008] |