Review: The AntiKaroshi – Crushed Neocons (2009)

The AntiKaroshi. *Sigh* Let me first start by saying that this style isn’t my cup of tea. I honestly can say that I cannot name one Indie band that I like. I find that this experimental genre to be taken in directions that rarely do any good. Indie stands for the unconventional, as does all metal, but carries a different attitude, an attitude that I personally have a distaste for. An attitude of trying so hard to be unique, the message is lost in translation and even the band cannot remember their own cause. If you were to follow my definition, then Crushed Neocons would be no exception.

Crushed Neocons have four distinct styles that are experimented with, obviously the most dominant being Indie, accompanied by an interesting or “unconventional” blend of rock, techno. I must say I admire this bold display. I found the punky vocals on the other hand, to throw things off kilter, ruining the rhythm and feel. It didn’t flow with the rest of the songs, and the words just stumbled on itself, melting into nothing and losing meaning.

However, before the vocals are belted, I can hear potential. I sense a very lovely jazz influence, along with the Indie, in the first song “Downtown,” as the bass is strum beautifully, the drums are beaten to its own melody, and the guitar is plucked to perfection. If I were to throw in a metronome, it would be followed to a tee. Even with the songs featuring techno/electronica, the constancy is prevalent and definitely one of their greatest strengths.

Although Crushed Neocons has a forgiving melody about it, that does not redeem the album in its entirety. The vocals make the music sound chunky and sloppy, and takes away from the overall feel of the album. This album was meant to represent the unconventional, but the reality is something a little different. The AntiKaroshi have managed to say away from mainstream music, but have hindered themselves by making this their main priority.

Ehh…

Similar Artists: Slint, Killdozer, Tar

1. Downtown
2. Fistful
3. Pes
4. Sound Advce
5. Contradiction
6. Cruiserwait
7. Baskerville
8. Thin Line
9. Prsndcns (Remix by Monosylabikk)

Thea – Guitar, vocals, keys
Ntick – Bass, keys
Aroshi – Drums

Exile On Mainstream Records

http://www.myspace.com/theantikaroshi

- Dalia