Syd.31 - Start A War

Frontman of this group Dr Magic was really heavily into traditional ska and punk bands before creating, by a somewhat mistake, a low-fi synth band named Population. Not being the sole member, he was able to take this rowdy group to certain heights, collecting a respectable following, and even going so far as to playing at Resistanz in 2012. However, after a UK tour, the band ended. But, using wizardry, Dr Magic continued on with his live drummer, Liam C and therefore Syd.31 was born.

And while the punk aesthetic still kicks hard with a drum and anger management seems to be necessary with their hostile lyrical content, a decent amount of pop content slams out in an effort to create something different. A pretty decent motto stemming from them seems to be simply this: Be angry, but have fun while doing it. And that's something a lot of folks need to learn.

Start A War breathes out more of a techno inspired track that continues on with the punk end of things. I feel as if this EP will catch a decent base, but will also make a lot of people made for blending genres in this way. However, I am not one of those people; I'm sitting here laughing at the interesting and unique way they play out their music.

Dieter Rams Is Dead has a few IDM touches here and there, but still maintains rhythm with the rest of the album, while Dubstep influences play off in Power! (Are You Fucking Angry), wobbling in and out, intoxicating the song with all sorts of digital noises and randomized effects. An angry voice screams here and there, and works nicely.

Monsters hits off with a fairly decent electronic song that also gets a few kicks from dubstep, and the final song One Night comes in with an electronic flow coming forth amongst a hitting drum. Shortly, synths hit in with a chanting from a crowd. The vocals soon hit in as well; different for this genre of music, but sturdy enough to stay on its heels, this song oddly works somehow.

And, well, I'm having a hard time explaining what I just went through. Electronics that are fast and frenzy just like the mind of a psychopath spurt out as a man screams out lurid lyrics with soul behind them. That's perhaps the best way I can talk of it. The album is good, but it needs to become a bit more cohesive to really hit the high mark. However, with a nice tightening on technical elements and a more balanced ratio, I think these guys will do just nicely. Cheers to'em. I'm looking forward to more of their work. Aug 07 2014