Tan Remster - Machine Vs Nature

Tan Remster

​Machine Vs Nature
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Tan Remster is an artist from Melbourne, Australia who recently released Machine Vs Nature. It’s a four-song EP which contains a mix of pop/rock songs with a tinge of other sub genres. Up first is “Elephant Stampede” which opens with a LA Noire/surf riff. It’s a catchy song and Remster sings about looking for a job and having to engage in the never-ending rat race. The song is also short and sweet. It goes by fast and I felt the brevity was good for the song.

Up next is “Hard To Win” which is a little more fleshed out with vocal harmonies but still mostly sticks to a straightforward setup of guitar, bass and drums. It’s a simple tune that is enjoyable yet familiar sounding. The song also has a hint of melancholy that I thought sounded good on Remster.

Remster attempts to rock out a little more with success on “Absence of War.” I thought the rocking, distorted guitar riff had a good amount of attitude on it. The lyrics are pretty straightforward and deal directly about invading forces, Afghanistan and bombing.  He changes to a acoustic guitar on the last song entitled “No Four Leaf Clovers.” It’s the most reflective, nostalgic song of the batch. It’s also the most emotionally resonant and I thought it contained his best vocal performance. 

Remster songs felt very general. It was hard for me to find distinct features which really stood out and defined his music. I thought the songs were well written but they also didn’t seem to stick.


The recordings were a little on the lo-fi side. I thought the production was above average for DIY but fell a little short from what you might call a commercial release. Overall, I thought the songwriting and delivery were good but I think it would benefit Remster if there was some way he could make his songs have a signature sound that people can identify him with.

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