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

MICROPANiK - Arbos EP

5/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
MICROPANiK

Arbos EP
self-released; 2015

3.6 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
​
Why does it seems like drum and bass bands can rock just as hard or harder than any standard three- or four- piece? When I think I of duo’s that can bring it I think of Death From Above 1979 and Lightning Bolt. The latest duo to bring some intensity is MICROPANiK comprised of JC Blain (drums) and JS Vaillancourt (bass). Their latest effort entitled Arbos is a four-song EP that they consider “alternative electronica rock music.” After spending some time with the EP I’d say it’s fair to say the electronic elements feels more ornamental than anything else most of the time. The distorted bass and organic drums are in the foreground here while the electronic elements are lightly peppered throughout. Used even less on the EP are their vocals. There aren’t any catchy hooks here. The singing feels almost sporadic yet not forced. 

Up first is “Monochrome” and for those of those you who remember the band The Faint there are some similarities to that band along with the kinetic energy you might hear from Death From Above 1979 or even Queens Of The Stone Age. The way they use the electronic synth is unique on this song. During the verse the synth acts as the main melody like a vocal would but then when the chorus comes your attention goes to the bass line. The singer occasionally yells out a “Hey” or “Yeah” but it feels rather marginal compared to what else is going on. Overall, it’s a strong opener with some interesting dynamics.

“Wake Up, WTF” is another solid song. The melodies are strong and around a minute in I thought I was going to be treated to a full on vocal performance but it turned out to be a tease. He sings, “Look up to the sky / It’s full of stars / we are falling down lights / are fading away” and that's kind of it till one more phrase later in the song. I have ambivalent feelings about this approach to vocals but I have to say it’s original.

“Tech Sturm” gives up some of the energy for atmosphere. They utilize a vocal sample of some kind while a cascading synth plays. Cymbals start to crash and intensity starts to slowly rise and then deflate. It’s a mood piece that veers towards a different direction for the band.

They close with the eight-plus-minute “Rouvre Les Yeux, WTF” which combines some of their ambient proclivities and the rocking out they display on the first two songs. The band brings back a familiar palette of synth sounds. I was digging the tune and around the six-minute mark the song slowly fades into white noise and an arpeggiated synth. They go out with more of a whimper then a bang.

​Arbos is a solid EP. There are some good ideas and I think most of them pan out. That being said I think their best work lies ahead. Word on the street is the duo is working on a full length. Stay tuned.
official website
Tweet
0 Comments

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

    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