TheSlacks - Album Review: Information Ape
Scott Armstrong (vocals, rhythm guitar), Mark Armstrong (vocals, lead guitar), Blake Gibson (vocals, bass guitar) and Zane Greig (vocals, drums) are
collectively
TheSlacks, Taranaki's answer to the question "What do you reckon a cross between Johnny Cash and Sublime would sound like?" Information Ape is their new album,
their third after 2003's Suppressed Inventions and 2014's Welcome To The Rolling Vibe, and they're embarking on a 4-date tour to coincide with New Zealand Music Month to support it, their mums think they play Folk-Rock,
they themselves think they play Country-Ska, but apparently they actually play Adult Contemporary Pop... I think everyone is correct, here. They also cite Neil Young and The Kinks as strong influences, and there's definitely a strong 60's influence infusing
many of the album's 11 tracks.The title track is up first, a playful honky-tonk rhythm blossoming into a chorus that could have come straight from a Beatles album, a fun, positive, upbeat song. Friends Sit And Talk continues in the folk-rock vein, big beautiful vocal harmonies and a sweet hooky chorus, just what you need. Next up, Old King Young is a soft acoustic ballad, with a beautiful high harmony complimenting the soulful and warm, raw and passionate vocals. Crystal Mountain High is another gorgeous folky tune, with delicious melodies weaving through the rhythmic goodness, a joyful celebratory song. By contrast, Yesterday's Paper is more laid back, and slightly melancholic. There's a superb trumpet solo, and I'm reminded of the Beatles again (in the best possible way) with the vocal harmonies.
The title of the next one is Here It Comes, and oh yes it does. A fuzzed-out guitar brays a riff for the ages, kicking off a hugely anthemic feel, with suitably esoteric lyrics, and a fiercely brash guitar solo.
A sound like a vinyl record spinning up to speed brings in Love To Go, a cutely twee intro, a lilting and dream-like love song explodes into a huge guitar moment, only to fold sweetly back in on itself. More fast-paced, When You Find Me is a highly boogie-friendly rocker with groove for days, and a fantastic guitar solo outro.
A swinging fiddle intro to a high-energy country fueled rocker is what awaits with Pinecone Flue Open, with deliciously twangin' guitar to boot. Mrs Manic, however, is almost punk in its delivery, a good ol' belter of a rock & roll tune. I felt I heard hints of Bowie in this one, I reckon he'd have been stoked to have written this, and it's my favourite track on the album.
Finally, No Reason To Love is an almost Pink Floyd-like hymn, sweet and poignant, a masterful blend of sadness and hope, and a fitting end to this excellent album.
It's clear that TheSlacks have been honing their considerable skills for some time... long may it last.
About TheSlacks
Big Aroha germinated in Marky Armstrong’s school years after a poignant discussion with his mate Joe at the bus stop outside the Inglewood dairy, about the importance of community and manaakitanga - a conversation that stayed with him over the years and finally coalesced into a song.
Peppered with Te Reo and celebrating strong community ties and deep roots, Big Aroha is a nod to Poi E and a modern Taranaki response to our times.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for TheSlacks
Releases
Other Reviews By Peter K Malthus
Narcotic Tonsils - Album Review: You'll Get What You're Given
18 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Now, I'm just going to get this out of the way right at the start: I know these guys, their guitarist Troy is a really good mate of mine, and I used to share a house with their frontman/bassist Andy - in fact, when he first started talking about a new band he wanted to put together, back in 2019. Two years later, Narcotic Tonsils erupted into being, and swiftly became my favourite Christchurch band (apart from the ones I'm in myself, obviously).
Read More...
Damien Binder - EP Review: Heartful
16 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Damien Binder is now well into his fourth decade of releasing music, and his third as a solo artist. He has an impressive back catalogue to show for it, and his latest EP Heartful sits admirably alongside his previous releases.
Read More...
16 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
I had a fair amount of trepidation about heading along to Otautahi Smoke BBQ Festival, the temperature was forecast to be 31 degrees, and I'm one of those folk who, as Billy Connolly so eloquently put it, is "so white, I'm pale blue". Luckily, I found a nice shady spot with a great view of the stage, and easy access to the free water station, and with a nice cool breeze blowing through, I didn't have to worry about burning to a crisp.
Read More...
Lavender - EP Review: Types Of Infatuation
29 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Types Of Infatuation is the name and the theme of the debut EP from Tamaki Makaurau based Lavender, who has been songwriting and performing from a young age, and whose style has developed into a well-crafted blend of indie folk-pop and alt-rock. Lavender has performed at many high profile events over the past few years, and if this EP is anything to go by, looks well set to go on too much bigger things again.
Read More...
Dylan Kay - EP Review: (I Could) Watch You Forever
29 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Dylan Kay is a seasoned player, having begun 35 years ago, and having been teaching for the last 25 of them, including setting up what is now Auckland's biggest guitar school, in 2012. Originally from the U.
Read More...
Star Chart - EP Review: White Girl Whining
26 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
White Girl Whining is the sophomore EP from Tamaki Makaurau-based Star Chart, a project created and fronted by Chrissie Hart, multi-talented multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire. After an impressive career of touring the world playing on cruise ships, in hotels, and as a session musician, she returned to her hometown to finally start recording some original music that she'd been quietly working on since high school.
Read More...
CAITLIN - EP Review: Legacy
22 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Legacy is the latest in an impressive list of releases from Otautahi-based CAITLIN, an EP comprised of her last three singles and one previously unreleased track, Attention. The four songs presented here amply demonstrate her growth and maturing as an artist and songwriter, as she examines the emotions involved in some deeply personal experiences, at times laying herself bare with rawness and honesty.
Read More...
19 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Homemade Pills is a new album by Patients, one of the projects of Christchurch's Aeneas Jones. As well as fronting heavy rockers PhatSak and performing with Chickenyard and When I Was Sexy, Aeneas drew together the collective Patients to play and record this latest effort.
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
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
