Labels: My Silly Dog Records – Rock & Roll Masturbation
Review by: Alex Hannan
“Song#8” kicks off NOD OFF’s debut EP with a bandy shambling gait that recalls an unplugged version of 90’s era THE EX. It shows a similar interest in unconventional instrumental timbre, a willingness to scrape and push instruments to reveal textures outside of the conventionally beautiful. Perhaps a musical tip of the fedora to “Swordfishtrombones” era TOM WAITS, also. Vocals by Gaëlle have an endearing singsong quality that’s counterpointed with more emphatic male vocals on the chorus (by Fred, previously of French band BANANAS AT THE AUDIENCE.) The chorus is boosted by an eerie sounding clattering melody line which had me scratching my head figuring out the source (I think it’s a Farfisa organ setting). Good to be kept guessing with some unusual musical choices.
“Song#7” builds gradually into a catchy tune, and the songwriting feels restrained and methodical, broad-spanning chord progressions unfolding gradually as the end of the chorus approaches. It’s a bit like looking under the hood of an apparently rusty old jalopy and finding a gleaming engine. Or like a closer examination of the sleeve of the record, a quality glossy print with fingerprints and the patina of age printed onto it. I’d be interested to hear more risks taken with the songwriting, an injection of spontaneity, because after the novelty of the instrumentation has worn off a bit it starts feeling a little safe.
“Song#10” sounds a little like a lost PJ HARVEY chorus circa “Dry” spliced with some elegantly patterned post-rock, and “Song#9” rounds out the EP with woozily chromatic backing and Kim Gordon-channelling vocals, a little monotone but enlivened by an angular electric guitar solo towards the end. An interesting EP that you can check out on their bandcamp before buying if you so wish.