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The Arm just attacks from the first track, with pulsing beats
and half-sung, half-yelled vocal lines that push the momentum and
feel to a completely enjoyable level. The bass just pops along, while
minimalistic guitar/keyboard lines add texture to the whole; the overall
mix works so well because it never tries to be anything big, but achieves
an even greater standing despite itself.
Rightly, this band shouldn't even draw a second glance because of
their particular approach to music, but they end up superceding any
preconceived notions of song craft to create something addictive and
nonsensical. Somehow the tongue-in-cheekness of the songs lends itself
to the material, creating an almost Aquabats or Devo
approach which totally works in their favor. Not that they sound anything
like those bands - they do have that 80's synth rock feel, but the
comparisons stop there.
Lyrically the band throws many quips at the listener, even going
so far as to say in "Song automatic 1-2-3!" "We
love originality/Good artists make/Great artists steal/Good evening,
we are not The Fall". It is these subtle twists of
logic sparsed throughout each song that keep me smiling while I listen.
Have you noticed yet how all of the song titles have exclamation
points ending them? It is totally required too, because there is just
that much energy spilling off of each song. "Bright young men!"
is probably my favorite track for its sheer movement and sentiment
and "Give up while you're young!" maintains nice ambiance.
Really, there is not a bad song on this album, even though the production
sounds closer to a live recording.
The Arm converted me into an avid listener after a couple of times
through, they are definitely worth picking up and savoring. Enjoy!
-bishop
Track listing:
1) You're a Winner!
2) Get Down with the Death of the City!
3) Bright Young Men!
4) D-Stessed!
5) Song Automatic 1-2-3!
6) Age of Consent!
7) Robots vs. The Arm!
Give Up While You're Young!
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