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||| MDRF001 THE BEATINGS: ITALIANO |
FEB 2001, SEP 2002 | 31:59 | CD EP
Recorded at Small Church, New Alliance, and Dented Head Studios.
"Expecting a punk band and not getting one ... bringing
back memories of the days when R.E.M. would really rock
out, raw and energetic. There are hints of a Yo La
Tengo-type noise, and when mellowness hits, it swirls
into a dreamy guitar mood, with the vocals just
screaming over the slow drive of the rhythm. The CD ends
with a very raucous song that carries hints of early
Buffalo Tom, but with the vocals almost falling apart,
hoarse and broken, but very alive."
"Every so often I seem to get bitch-slapped by a band
I've never heard before. Blindly, I stumble around,
asking myself, "Why haven't I heard these guys?" So let
me ask The Beatings something: What took you fuckers so
long? This Boston-based group's latest 5-song CD EP 6hz
has been kicking my ass up and down for about a month
now, and it's been the most depraved, satisfying month
of my life. The Beatings rely on simple, punkish rhythms
augmented by manic leads and strained (but inherently
melodic) vocals ... This works to a great effect on
tracks like "Brighter Than Bright" and "Wring Me Out,"
the latter showcasing some excellent, inventive guitar
work. The best track on the EP, "Experimental Test
Monkey," would have been a classic power-pop tune in the
late 80s. Its fragmented leads, assured drums, and
mournful, insistent vocals take hold of your brain
harder with each listen, kinda like that Alien pod
slowly making its way into your mouth and down your
throat. By the time you've listened to this CD for a
couple weeks, it's too late. Your stomach is about to
explode and get blood all over the inside of the nice
clean spaceship walls. Oh well."
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