La Maladresse - La Maladresse - CDR (2009)

Labels: Mon Oeil
Review by: Oli Saunders

So I am sitting in work today, the original aim of which was to catch up on things that I’ve fallen behind on. But now I am listening to La Maladresse and writing a review for it, so I guess that’s out the window. This band really deserve a review though, obscure as fuck emo from Canada, they have managed to come up with a pretty original sound. They are from Québec and the vocals are in French. They don’t sound like any French bands really, except in the vocals which are shouted and remind me a bit of Amanda Woodward, not a great comparison though and you can probably do better. The guitar grooves about a bit like Brito and Shotmaker but there is no bass guitar driving things. This makes the music a bit simpler but it still works well together with the drums and I don’t feel anything is lacking. The sole guitarist is required to keep things interesting but they does a good job, playing varied riffs, whilst both they and drummer contribute vocals, one does most of them and the other chirps in now and again.

The first song ‘Océan De Distance’ is probably the best, the riffs are really nailed on this track and the vocals are spot on. Seriously this track is pretty stunning. The record continues in similar fashion and remains solid but never tops this. Despite reasonable amounts of variation in the instruments and vocals it does get a little samey at times, but still good and I like all of it. Overall, really nice to hear some modern emo from this region and I look forward to hearing more.

11th July 2009