Review – Hummer “Teasing Off the
Goblins”
EP through Cheese! Records
Dischords in unique progressions; clean and audible vocals; a driving beat with a sound like no other: that would be the best way to describe the debut for a new record label based in Gosford and a new indie-pop/rock band based in Sydney.
The record label is called Cheese! Records and their aim, according to their press, is to “beat the big boys / girls” and be dedicated to the “small independent unsigned bands”. Their first release comes from a 3-piece bands who were once known as Asrai Garden. Hummer is as alternative / indie as any band could hope to be. Their not-so-catchy tunes have an almost gothic and haunting familiarity about them without being too commercial. The band is destined for things as big as this city can offer.
To the songs of the EP, and Something Humble opens with a jingle and a jangle that is soon overridden by the power of an inner-city indie rock band. Restless, the single, includes some vocal over-dubbings with Tanith sharing lead-vocals with herself during the chorus and drawn out but interesting fade-out.
Coco Hayley is next, dedicated to the love-child of two grunge-meisters. It is the EP’s instrumental and features Birthday Party undertones. Fitting Cramp is the radio-friendly unit-shifter – powerful intro, softly-softly verse and powerful middle-8 through the vocal overdubs to the end.
Breeze was recorded on a four-track and actually sounds better than
the other songs production-wise. It could be taken as a ballad, complete with
the feedback-solo. A nice clean finish and a good indication of what’s to come
for both the label and the band: Hummer “Teasing Off the Goblins” on Cheese!
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