12.29
I’ve heard of this Stockholm band, Makeouts, but never managed to find any copies of their 7-inches or CD-R releases…and I was a good boy and didn’t illegally steal their music either. Maybe I’m glad I didn’t, cuz this sounds so great and fresh to me right now.
The lead-off track, “Do What You Want” sounds like a messed up, more garagey version of Love Battery or some other psych 90’s band or something (complete with vibrato guitar solo). Love Battery gets shit on by a lot of people, but those naysayers can go jump off a bridge and die a horrible icy death – that band slays and so does this one. The second track, “Get To You” gives us MORE catchiness and dual vocal delivery that sounds really vintage, monotone and great. The first track’s vocals are really likable and up my alley, but these even bring em up a notch higher. You get a bunch of great little guitar fills and pop sensibilities stolen right from the 60’s garage bands you love. And I think I hear some hardcore Black Lips “Dirty Hands” worship in this one, without really sounding like the Lips at all. This band is ON! No out of tune guitars, and no out of tune singing (not ragging on that one bit). But I’d say that’s what separates them from their Black Lips brethren. The song is one of those instantly likable songs we all wish everyone could write…but sadly everyone cannot. Its almost recognizable while at the same time you definitely haven’t heard anything this lo-fi on yr AM radio stations.
On their more straightforward punk numbers like “Never Let You Go”, “Sound Of Crime” (PAN-attack at the end!), “Throw It All Away” and “Bottles”, Makeouts sound like Rip-Off students with a hint of sneering confrontational vocals– kinda spastic, sorta off-key, but completely in gear. I’d say the punk tracks still hinge on garage, they just don’t have the songwriting charm of some of their other more subdued tracks on the record.
The backwards guitar line and blown out vocals on “Make It Out” are NOT to be missed. Probably the highlight of the LP. I can’t help but notice “Last Dance” has an intro that sounds really close to Beastie Boys’ “Girls”. It’s GOTTA be the same chords, but the chorus sounds straight out of the Black Lips’ catalog. “Done It” has some nice additional guitar tones that sorta sound like keys or other more fancy stringed instruments. The songwriting is quality. “Still Love You (Version)” is King Khan worship stripped down to a bit cleaner guitar, and not nearly as blasting…but JUST as catchy and sing-songy as ANY King Khan and BBQ song you’ve ever heard. The closer “L’Enfer Sur Terre” even has a hidden track! Haven’t heard one of those on an LP in quite some time. It’s a hidden track that was made for 45 RPM (even tho the rest of the LP is at 33 1/3), but yeah they obviously wanted you to hear the slowed down talking and Satanesque rambling in 33 1/3. But HEY! Imma listen to it at 45 RPM to decipher what they’re saying, cuz I’m THAT guy.
I’m really impressed and happy with this record (will probably be kicking my own ass for not looking into this band earlier). Pick it up! Fancy full color art and full color album sleeve.
Hear the leadoff track “Do What You Want” (Thanks Bachelor and Makeouts for the kindness!)
Buy IN A STRANGE LAND from Bachelor Records here!
Hear Makeouts on Myspace here!
