Title: Smile
Artist: Trashmonkeys
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 3rd April 2009
Label: Xno Records
Album Review
The band started back in 1998 and released their first self-titled album that same year which became no commercial success. Also in the same year the band played as support of THE CRAMPS and later of THE HIVES and HELLACOPTERS. The second album ‘Clubtown’ came out in 2002 with it the band built up a great reputation in England and an Italian TV show chose the title ‘Sundays’ off the album to be their title melody. After 2 more albums ‘The Maker’ (2004) and ‘Favourite Enemy’ (2006) and the preceding single ‘Give that to me’ comes the newest strike of the four-piece ‘Smile’ to rock your world as of 3rd April.
The leading riff of the opener ‘Give that to me’ rises and falls equally to an oscillating sine wave. But it’s only a glimpse of a high-octane track that will unfold as soon as the other instruments phase in and sooner than you expect you’ll catch yourself singing “Give that tome / I Could need it”. One a little freaky sounding melody serves as lead-in for the next cut ‘Leaving Home’ rolling forward with a grittier sound eventually. ‘What about you’ builds up from just a droning bass line in the beginning to swing up to a slicing rock song with scissoring riffs added culminating to a stirring finale in the end. Sounds of an ancient funfair wake nostalgic feelings and also the rest of the song is not made for bringing us back into the presents with a heavily 70s influenced sound enriched with acoustic guitar. Everything except the drums on ‘I.O.U’ seems to be processed with effects; sounds muffled and dirty. I really like that. ‘Smile’ is the title track and also the preceding single for the album and mows down anything with its lashing, fast rhythms and riffs.’ I’m a Mess for Rock’n’Roll’ is the end of this ride, is not as fast as the former one but therefore has a lot of parts where you need to grin about the sarcasm in the lyrics.
Simple yet effective arrangements are the trademarks of the sound on ‘Smile’ and together with the high fun factor it makes up an entertaining little disc you can throw in at any party.
Tracklist
01. Give that to me - 3:18
02. Leaving home - 2:37
03. What about you? - 2:14
04. Dreammaker Avenue - 3:21
05. I.O.U. - 3:28
06. Illnation - 2:33
07. Bad Day - 2:46
08. It's been nice - 4:52
09. Smile - 2:39
10. Isolated - 2:53
11. Did it again - 3:29
12. I'm a Mess for Rock'n'Roll - 7:18
Line-up
Andreas Wolfinger – Vocals, Guitar
Offer Stock - Keys
Daz Fralick – Bass
Gunnar Riedel - Drums
Website
http://www.trashmonkeys.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/trashmonkeys
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 7.5 / 10
{jos_sb_discuss:19}
Comments powered by CComment