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Label: RPL Audio - Rating:
The Main Drag releases a new album that is sure to satisfy your Indie-Pop/Rock cravings. If you're tired of all the hackneyed bands sounding the same then you're in luck because The Main Drag gives you a taste of orchestrated electronica too. Delicious synthesizers and trippy drums beats plague the album into a sound that can be obscure at times but catchy all the same!
The album opens strongly with a catchy guitar riff leading into a verse that is just exploding with lots of energy. The track eventually mellows out into a smooth chorus, the use of violin and strings is very calming and conjures images of psychedelic trips to space. You can just tell from the start that this band has a very Indie sound but shouldn't deter anyone into thinking that it's just a vague Indie album.
The next song 'Tricky Girl' is very different compared to the first track. The tone is much more electronic, the intro begins with an obscure synthesizer and follows with a painfully obvious drum machine. The emphasis of the synthesizer makes the sound a bit corny(especially with the la-la-la-la's) but the song is catchy none the less and perfect for whenever you're feeling silly. It's a very radio-friendly song but it felt like they were trying too hard to make sure it was catchy enough to hook listeners.
I think that the contrast between pop-rock and electronica is very well done here. The first two tracks really demonstrate the diversity of the sounds rendered in the album. And having them presented back to back was interesting. It was a bit unmoving but that's what I liked about it. The shift made me feel uncomfortable in the same way a piece of art does, a feat that is not easily accomplished.
The track 'Megatron' is a nice mix of rock and jazzy interludes. The part in the middle just reminds me of the ending to Gorillaz's blockbuster album Demon Days, but what makes it different is their transition into an upbeat pop-rock sound. The contrast of styles and genres are concurrent throughout the whole album and keeps the listener interested.
Hearing the album, you'll notice that the each instrument is very strong. The bass is deep, the drums are fantastic, guitars are catchy and the vocals enchanting. The lyrics are kind of hallow but they play their part in making the songs unique and catchy.
Unfortunately an issue has reappeared; like my last review I critiqued the length of an album because the ending felt abrupt. The same is somewhat true here although you get a lot substance for a short time, the album(excluding the bonus track which is a remixed song from their previous album) is only 26 minutes long. I felt like there could have been at least two or more songs but then again, i'm being nitpicky because it's hard to critique an album that is just all around good. So check it out! This is one album you will not regret listening to.
3.5 guns
Like The Main Drag? Check out: Modest Mouse, Bloc Party
