The Faeries--s/t
McCarthyism 2004
Many bands try to sound unique but very few actually do. The ones who fare best in this cause do so with an organic quality that never makes them seem contrived. With their self-titled debut, the Faeries have managed to squeeze themselves into that favorable bracket. This is a fresh listen which seems to have fallen together effortlessly.
More warped than angular, perhaps the best point of reference for the Faeries sound would be the Melvins--this is twisted metallic stuff, at its core. Still, this isn't linear by any stretch of the imagination either, with D.C. hardcore/Fugazi-isms equally apparent throughout the album. Add all of this to a taste for the avant purportedly inspired by Mr. Bungle and you get what might be the most paranoid feeling hardcore ever laid to tape. It's an interesting alchemy that yields some fairly original results--if there's another band that sounds exactly like this, they don't immediately spring to mind, should such an outfit even exist.
It's one thing to be a tad bizarre and another to craft a good song. Luckily, the Faeries have it going on in both those categories. While this disc is best consumed in its entirety, there are moments which stick out. "Money Is The Shit Of God (Bathe In God's Shit)" chugs along in an almost hooky fashion to start, while "Death To The Liars In The Idiot Box" might appeal somewhat to doomers with its slow, pounding intro. "Rape Elvis' Skeleton" features a very cool and tasteful buzzing detuned one-note guitar part. The epic and slanted "Arterial Spray" boasts a strange sense of melodicism, obscured somewhat by its screamed vocals. Five unlisted songs close this platter, each benefiting from a more polished and fuller production than the listed cuts, and managing to cultivate a bit of Today Is The Day vibe. Front to back, you're in for an interesting listen.
While this seemingly comes from the school of hardcore, the Faeries really defies classification. If you're into any of the aforementioned bands or styles, there's probably something here for you. That said, this is one of those albums you really have to make up your own mind on. Give it a shot--it's worth it. Definitely not the same ole same ole.
Score this CD directly from MCCARTHYISM |
