Cabin Fever - Mute EP

Cabin Fever

Mute EP
self-released; 2014

3.3 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

Cabin Fever has the low-key punk attitude of intellectual rock a la The Strokes, but with the abandon and production quality of my first high school band. I swear there’s some unspoken appreciation for the blemished mix of distortion and room mix when it comes to this unbridled brand of rockdom on their EPMute. Mute speaks to the punk mantra to be against a clean and unnatural finish; let the shit ride and call it a record. Cabin Fever are true rebels with a cause, but I don’t know what the cause is just yet. 

With songs like “I Wanna Be A Deer” and “Soda Can(t)” it makes one think that these guys are just tongue in check axe men with nothing to lose. And that very well might be, but “Armageddon” stands out with prominent lyrics and a powerfully slow pace. Quite the contrary from the surrounding material, it’s mature in theme for the most part as well as the most restrained cut on the EP.  Some bands will tell you that it all has meaning and goes deep, but we have the power as listeners to decide ultimately what is perceived. 

Artists write for themselves or at least should to the most degree, but it all comes with a simultaneous understanding of what’s best for their sound in relation to audience and demographic. That’s something I believe Cabin Fever doesn’t even entertain. They’re so progressive, or something like that. 

“Conversation Is Boring” shows off the vocalist’s ability to basically taunt his voice in musical fashion. Snot rock comes to mind and yet the musicianship is far less obnoxious and even seems to be crafting a solid build and breaking chorus. Sure enough, the guitars turn up and the drums bring it down. Crashing cymbals and power chords leave nothing much to be spared in their wake.

And like the disorienting calm after a tornado, the dreary beginning is left bare and awkward to make a lonely reprise. The good thing about that is the build that is sure to follow. This is my standout track and one not to miss. I’d like to hear more from Cabin Fever because five songs are only touching the surface in my eyes. 

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