Backmasker

Effigies EP

Written by: PP on 22/03/2013 00:27:27

Let's put it this way. In order to like Backmasker, you need to have an unhealthy obsession with the Hot Water Music strain of punk rock, the raw and passionate, the honesty-driven branch of original post-hardcore with hints of 90s punk embedded within. If you're like me, you simply can't get enough of these types of bands and think that they can do no wrong, because the nostalgia-driven approach to unpolished, yet melodic and groovy punk guitars is like sweet, sweet candy to your ears, one that will get you every time no matter how much you try to avoid it. And that's the effect of "Effigies" EP on this particular scribe.

At the same time, however, from an objective point of view you have to appreciate that Backmasker are no Make Do And Mend nor Hot Water Music when it comes to writing the kind of punk rock that's halfway polished and halfway unpolished while unable to decide which side it wants to belong to. Their songs are solid, but not genre-defining nor the kind that'll occupy the end of the year lists. But yet the fan within me wants to say that "Desolation Lake" might just be one of the finest "Caution"-era Hot Water Music songs written by any band I've come across recently, even it does take several listens to grow on you properly. The explosive, yet melodic opening to "Leaver" is equally catchy, here leaning strongly on technical punk riffage, and "Black And Grey" is perfectly capable of competing with Make Do And Mend with its melody.

I guess what I'm saying is this. "Effigies" might sound a little bland and too unoriginal on the first couple of listens because of how closely it mimics its influences, but I just can't see any way around the fact that it's a solid EP with great songwriting throughout the five songs present here. It's not flashy; just good, enjoyable punk rock with a nice melodic ring attached to it.

Download: Desolation Lake, Black And Grey,
For the fans of: Make Do And Mend, Hot Water Music, Ghost Robot Ninja Bear
Listen: Bandcamp

Release date 31.10.2012
Creator Destructor Records

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