Labels: Narshardaa – Paramnesia – PurePainSugar
Review by: Kjetil Holstad
Have to admit that I have been a sucker for Off Minor ever since the splendid split with I Am The Resurrection and they are in fact one of the few bands from this era I still revisit every now and then. I guess most readers here are already familiar with this band, have seen them live and own at least one of their records and already knows if they want this or not, making this a pretty pointless review.
Anyway, this is the fourth full-length by this trio and they do not stray far from the formula that I’ve come to love so much. They have added some speed and furiousness to some of their songs (one of which clocks in at a mere 0:43), but the jazz guitar and rumbling bass are never far away. It just got more ‘core and less ‘mo.
Few bands have gone down this path and been successful. The Mock Heroic came pretty close, but where they became sterile sounding, Off Minor adds another element of nerve and presence. Even the long and quite monotone last song, Practice Absence, is lifted by these elements. A song which also features guest vocals by Jess Kamen (1905) and that I’ve heard fans put down as lame, but then again, a friend of mine who can’t stand the jazziness said ‘how can this be Off Minor? This is good!!’
The sound on the record itself is superior to their previous records as well. It sounds BIIIIGG and suits them well.
The only negative I can say about this is: too short!!
Top 10 2008 potential here!