OGB.ONLINE
Meow Meow's new release really purrs
By Kyle Collins
Assistant Life Editor
March 17, 2004
After listening to Meow Meow for about two weeks
now, I’m
still not entirely sure how to describe their debut album Snow Gas
Bones.
The album, which came out March 16, brings badly needed new sounds
to the alt-rock genre.
Although this is the bands’ first full length offering, they
have been around since 1998. Started by Christopher O’Brien
and Kirk Hellie the band was originally a side project. Derailed
for a variety of reasons, their first release didn’t come until
2002 on a compilation for the Japanese Chrome Hearts magazine.
Band members Christopher O’Brien, Kirk
Hellie, Michael Orendy and Norm Block may not be familiar names,
but these guys are no strangers to music.
Some of their former bands include Plexi, Pink Noise Test and Brian
Jones was Murdered.
If someone asked me to describe this album in
one word, I’m
not sure I could pick just one. Some that come to mind are “innovative,” “unique,” “appealing,” “experimental” – you
get the idea.
Combining pop, stoner rock, fuzzy guitar solos
and hip electronic effects, Meow Meow puts together a strong alternative
to the unimaginative buzz that has taken over indie rock. Kirk
Hellie’s heavily
processed guitar solos are often matched with vocal harmonies and
beautifully subtle melodies that create an overall mellow feeling.
The multi-layered tracks come together to create incredible melodies
that produce a new sound every time you listen to the album.
Tracks to look for include “Known to Man,” which
opens with vocal harmonies on top of a mellow acoustic riff. The
song goes into a heavily distorted section with lots of fuzz coming
from both the vocals and the guitars. Then it changes from fuzzy
and electronic into poppy and melodic, again switching off effortlessly
to create one of my favorite tracks.
Another song to look for is “Sick Fixation,” which brings
together warm harmonies and riffs with Kirk Hellie’s innovative
and effect-laden guitar sound.
When it comes right down to it, the 10 tracks
on this album make one of the best indie rock albums I’ve listened to in a long,
long time. Whether you’re a fan of the alt-rock genre or just
looking for a new sound, Snow Gas Bones is worth not only your money,
but the time you’ll spend listening to it over and over again.
http://ogb.wfu.edu/?id=1286_0_6_0_M |
