Despite a stinking review of this single in 'Kerrang!,' this tune may be dark, twisted and angularly intense, but it smells great from where my ears are pricked - no gruesomely sexualized pun intended.
Engerica are mad for their Alt.-punk-rock brand of music, and so are their fast-amassing ranks of fans. The aforementioned 'Smell' itself authentically reeks of all Sack Trick's quirkiest moments and System of A Down's most rocking, superbly sealed with raspingly confrontational narrative of the Hamell on Trial sort. One question though: what the hell is this tune about?
Ever unpredictable in their scatty ways, the b-side couldn't be more different from the title track, as the 75-second 'Reasons To Be Fearful: Part One' storms like a rabid bastard to totally confuse, yet hopefully not alienate, the listener even more. This particular number is deliriously Goth-punk in style; a manic clash of Antiproduct-proportioned fun and Cradle of Filth-funnelled menace - thoroughly thrashed to the sound-barrier-breaking max. And one is already wondering, in light of Quentin Tarantino's killer 'Kill Bill' flick, is 'Reasons To Be Fearful: Part Two' to follow? One can only speculate.
Produced expertly by Sam Williams, who's also worked with Hope of The States (who are tragically mourning the death of their guitarist James Lawrence, RIP), 'The Smell' is one hell of a follow-up to Engerica's 'Trick or Treat?' single, proving beyond a shadow of a silhouette's doubt that these guys are a mighty Alt.-rock force to be reckoned with.
(Steve Rudd)
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 26TH
www.engerica.com