Lowlyfe - Eyesores
Akhenation Records - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
It's an odd one, this. Eyesores is a five-track EP that consists of annoyingly produced, simplistically-constructed material that's big on down-tuned (but scratchily-distorted) bludgeon, syncopated chuggery and single-minded groove, but sadly lacking in areas like hooky songwriting and quality control. Promise shines through from time to time (it seems that bassist Chris is more at home with the idea of 'melody' than any of his other bandmates, for instance), but there are too many elements keeping it from being fully realised.
The production, for instance - the main offences here being a scratchy guitar tone and a snare drum that sounds like an empty coffee-can being hit with a biro - robs the material of the malevolence that the band were clearly striving for. Another mistake is vocalist Hoze's occasional attempts at rapping - seriously, just stop it. Your scream is far more suited to this kind of thing (although personally, I prefer Chris's growled background vox to either approach).
I've got to admit, however, that some of the riffs are pretty catchy - although that is more down their inherent simplicity than any hooks within the compositions, to be honest. As for other plus points? Well... it's quite short.
Lowlyfe's Official Website
Akhenation Records' Official Website
Akhenation Records - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
It's an odd one, this. Eyesores is a five-track EP that consists of annoyingly produced, simplistically-constructed material that's big on down-tuned (but scratchily-distorted) bludgeon, syncopated chuggery and single-minded groove, but sadly lacking in areas like hooky songwriting and quality control. Promise shines through from time to time (it seems that bassist Chris is more at home with the idea of 'melody' than any of his other bandmates, for instance), but there are too many elements keeping it from being fully realised.
The production, for instance - the main offences here being a scratchy guitar tone and a snare drum that sounds like an empty coffee-can being hit with a biro - robs the material of the malevolence that the band were clearly striving for. Another mistake is vocalist Hoze's occasional attempts at rapping - seriously, just stop it. Your scream is far more suited to this kind of thing (although personally, I prefer Chris's growled background vox to either approach).
I've got to admit, however, that some of the riffs are pretty catchy - although that is more down their inherent simplicity than any hooks within the compositions, to be honest. As for other plus points? Well... it's quite short.
Lowlyfe's Official Website
Akhenation Records' Official Website
