21 Nov 2024
Hollywoodfun Downstairs - Album Review: Tetris
23 Feb 2018 // A review by JohnnyBSquid
Hollywoodfun Downstairs were best described by Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Kurt Williams as trashy noise pop punk which aptly describes the jaw dropping, face slapping dissonance and tension generated by the music on their latest recording.
Comparisons to fellow kiwis Die! Die! Die! and early The Mint Chicks belies the speed, aggression and brutal beauty generated by the Wellington based three-piece.
Each song is like a good cop, bad cop interrogation of the senses with quiet, melodic intros leading into a full-on aural assault which are shown to best effect on personal favourites Hungarian Tremors and Your Medium. The lyrics are spat at you like vented anger after a bad day at work, which at times detracts from brilliance of this musically competent trio.
The rhythm section, comprising of Grant Gall on bass and Joe Wright on drums, add considerable weight and texture to the crushing momentum of the songs, creating interest and versatility.
Wright is formidable in terms of speed, syncopation, variety and stamina and supplies the perfect vehicle by which the band can deliver their raw, angst ridden messages. Gall joined the band late in the piece and provides a solid backbone of fast and edgy bass riffs onto which the stop/start characteristics of each piece can be cleverly woven.
The intricate guitar and bass effects provide an atmospheric, interesting and edgy feel to the songs, at times leading to a sonic sensory overload. This, I assume, is the intention of the singer to portray personal feelings of agitation, anxiety and perhaps hostility to its subject matter.
If you like your music fast, belligerent, anarchic and challenging then Tetris is the album for you and at almost 41 minutes it’s a decent dose of what the band has to offer.
Recorded in 4 days, on analogue equipment, at Blue Barn Studios in Wellington, then mixed by Chris Common in El Paso, Texas, the album is available as a digital download through Bandcamp or on white vinyl or CD from their European independent distributor Polish label Antena Krzyku. If you are lucky enough to catch them live you won’t be disappointed, but take ear plugs and a neck brace as they are very loud and head-bangingly good!
Review written by John Baxter
Hollywoodfun Downstairs were best described by Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Kurt Williams as trashy noise pop punk which aptly describes the jaw dropping, face slapping dissonance and tension generated by the music on their latest recording.Comparisons to fellow kiwis Die! Die! Die! and early The Mint Chicks belies the speed, aggression and brutal beauty generated by the Wellington based three-piece.
Each song is like a good cop, bad cop interrogation of the senses with quiet, melodic intros leading into a full-on aural assault which are shown to best effect on personal favourites Hungarian Tremors and Your Medium. The lyrics are spat at you like vented anger after a bad day at work, which at times detracts from brilliance of this musically competent trio.
The rhythm section, comprising of Grant Gall on bass and Joe Wright on drums, add considerable weight and texture to the crushing momentum of the songs, creating interest and versatility.
Wright is formidable in terms of speed, syncopation, variety and stamina and supplies the perfect vehicle by which the band can deliver their raw, angst ridden messages. Gall joined the band late in the piece and provides a solid backbone of fast and edgy bass riffs onto which the stop/start characteristics of each piece can be cleverly woven.
The intricate guitar and bass effects provide an atmospheric, interesting and edgy feel to the songs, at times leading to a sonic sensory overload. This, I assume, is the intention of the singer to portray personal feelings of agitation, anxiety and perhaps hostility to its subject matter.
If you like your music fast, belligerent, anarchic and challenging then Tetris is the album for you and at almost 41 minutes it’s a decent dose of what the band has to offer.
Recorded in 4 days, on analogue equipment, at Blue Barn Studios in Wellington, then mixed by Chris Common in El Paso, Texas, the album is available as a digital download through Bandcamp or on white vinyl or CD from their European independent distributor Polish label Antena Krzyku. If you are lucky enough to catch them live you won’t be disappointed, but take ear plugs and a neck brace as they are very loud and head-bangingly good!
Review written by John Baxter
About Hollywoodfun Downstairs
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Hollywoodfun Downstairs
Releases
Other Reviews By JohnnyBSquid
Gig Review: Bernie Griffen and The Thin Men @ The Incubator, Tauranga - 26/05/2018
07 Jun 2018 // by JohnnyBSquid
Patrons are huddled together, braving the weather in a cold red shed, in the heart of Tauranga’s Historic Village. Winter hits hard, but as so many artists overlook the city of Tauranga when they book shows on their tours, the people are happy to turn up and support them.
Read More...
Gig Review: I Am Giant @ Totara Street, Mount Maunganui - 5/04/2018
09 Apr 2018 // by JohnnyBSquid
When you are about to embark on an evening of three bands which kicks off with Coridian, you know you are in for a real treat, despite the fact it marks the end of ten years of one of New Zealand’s finest heavy rock bands, I Am Giant, who are calling it a day with this final tour entitled ‘Life In Captivity’ which is commemorated with the release of their third album of the same name.A headliner in their own right, Coridian take to the stage with rapturous applause of which they deserve every second, having done the hard yards, playing to the local crowd on several occasions in the past year alone, the band kick into their set with the self-assured positivity of a band on top of their game and have onlookers dancing and singing along within seconds.
Read More...
Illuminus - Album Review: Endless
04 Apr 2018 // by JohnnyBSquid
At a little over 29 minutes this 12-song extravaganza weaves a textural symphony of sounds and feelings. First it will have you lulled into submission with almost ambient passages, then it will shake you awake with full on heavy skull pounding brutality.
Read More...
Gig Review: Apollo SteamTrain @ Imbibe Bar, Tauranga - 10/03/2018
20 Mar 2018 // by JohnnyBSquid
After kicking off their tour at the Nivara Lounge in Hamilton the much anticipated second night on Apollo SteamTrain’s Brain Bell Jangler Tour is in their home town at Imbibe bar, Mount Maunganui. The tour’s name was taken in support of their newest single and what a toe tapping, feel good song it is.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
