Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

499M - 499M

1/27/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
499M

499M
self-released; 2016

​3.6 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

499M is Chrys Berryman. He comes from New Zealand and these days it seems he's more of a music hobbyist. He gave up playing bass in bands about twenty-five years ago and hasn’t released much music-wise besides his self-titled EP 499M. His EP is a complete DIY effort which was recorded on basic consumer gear. The recording quality is about what you expect, far from a professional studio with all the imperfections that digital gear provides. Luckily Berryman keeps it simple relying on guitar and vocals. That being said the recording quality varies from song to song which is a sure sign of a DIY effort.

I couldn't make out a lot of the lyrics but of what I could seemed pretty tongue and cheek. He doesn't seem to take the songs that seriously which I appreciate in a lot of ways. This makes a little sense since he was a stand-up comedian. 

He opens with the title track which is pretty, melancholy and bizarre. The guitar riff is simple and pretty. You also hear what sounds like an alarm and a kid sort of singing along with him. Berryman repeats the words of the song. I honestly have no idea what the song was about. 

Up next is “I Can Live With That” which revolves around a couple of basic chords. The song grew on me. Something about the inflection in his voice, the ambiguous lyrics and rawness of the track worked for me. It was a highlight. 

​Unfortunately, “Pissing Off Our Patio” takes a pretty notable dip in volume and the recording quality isn't as good. All things considered it was another song that grew on me. There was something I liked about the music which was hard to pinpoint. I think it reminded me of Guided by Voices in some way.

“Bury Me In An Elephants Graveyard” is a great name for a song while “Vern Cracknell Came To Our House” has a bit of a rock n; roll edge to it. 

I have to admit I wanted a little more than a strummed guitar and vocals on the album by the fourth song; I needed some diversity. In this day and age it is usually not enough for me unless you have great fingering picking skills and an exceptional voice. 

499M is far from perfect but is still a solid DIY effort. There is something endearing about these songs however. They feel authentic without an ounce of pretense. Something that most mainstream music lacks.
Tweet
1 Comment
Chrys Berryman
1/29/2017 01:28:57 pm

Thank you Matt Jensen for your thoughtful review,Im very happy that NMD accepted my submission.and some other people got to listen to my songs.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact