Kids EP
Catalogue no. JMMCD017
Release date: 05/03/2012
Format: Digital, CD (Limited Edition)
Track Listing:
01. Kids
02. Elephant
03. Betelgeuse (Featuring Gaz Coombes)
04. Three Crosses
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Release date: 05/03/2012
Limited edition metal CD tin packaging with surprises within...
Available Qty: 12
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Reviews:
Sometimes you just know that it’s right…like Jack Daniels on ice, beans on toast, coffee and cigarettes, and rock and roll….well, I have found another pairing that works just as well. It’sMelodramas and their latest offering ‘Kids‘ EP. A stunning sound and awesome arrangement awaits you here, it’s got everything, catchy brit-pop punk, hooks to die for and a production that will blow you away.
I’d seen Melodramas a few years back, supporting Steve Conte on his UK tour, and I was suitably impressed at the time. They have an energy and vibrancy to die for on-stage and the good news is that both attributes follow them into the studio. Melodramas latest EP released on March 5th, was recorded and produced by Sam Williams (Supergrass, Plan B, Noisettes), with one of the tracks ‘Betelgeuse‘ featuring backing vocals by Gaz Coombes (Supergrass).
The guys have been busy over the previous 12 months, touring the world and recording, and there’s more to come in 2012, including an interview with SoundCheck Magazine, but you can check them out for yourselves by following the links below.
So, Melodramas are my new favourite band. Full stop.
This EP – ‘Kids’ – is pumped to bursting point with inventive instrumentation and glorious melodic hooks, reigning in so many influences that the fact that they’re impossible to pin down to any one (sub) genre puts a smile of satisfaction on my regular, bored face. The downright success of this EP makes me feel like I’ve personally, somehow, got one up on the rest of the world. That’s how satisfying it is.
Formed in 2008, Melodramas have had an unusually acclaimed yet low-key start to their career. The British four-piece have received plenty of praise (winning the ‘Showcase’ competition with just their third ever show), and found fans in Taylor Hawkins and David Johansson (New York Dolls). Yet that hype has remained rather hushed, with the band failing to make a mark on the indie radar. Until now that is.
For this new ‘Kids’ EP, the band has teamed up with big-dog producer Sam Williams (Plan B, Supergrass), who has produced these four songs to perfection. But is not the perfect production that makes ‘Kids’ so stunning, but Melodramas pristine songwriting. The opening title-track is an energetic slice of garage-post-punk, with an infectious chorus, an accomplished guitar solo, and a principle riff that plays like Arctic Monkey’s ‘Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I Moved Your Chair’. That central hook, in conjunction with the snippets of surf rock and eerie, sonic noises bring to mind the classic Space Mountain ride soundtrack from Disneyland! The guitar parts and extra, theatrical instrumentation of ‘Elephant’ is rather like My Chemical Romance at their rockiest, while the psychedelic bridge must have been inspired by The Choral. Lively stuff.
‘Betelgeuse’, which features Gaz Coombes from Supergrass on backing vocals, is indie with a pop-rock core. The fact that it’s all over the place – with clapping, piano, layered surf rock, a scorching solo – makes for music that is both eccentric and hugely enjoyable, à la Stars and Sons. Closer ‘Three Crosses’ is the highlight, with the guitars flipping between indie jangle and the kind of progressive guitar riffs that ska-punk band RX Bandits peddle. This songs really vibes off The Cure’s ‘Lovecats’.
Frontman Matt Woolway’s voice is impressive in its ability to switch from poppy melodies to a sexy punk-rock snarl. His ear for a catchy hook is astounding, and is undoubtedly what makes the songs so memorable. I’ve already mentioned the guitars a fair bit, which erratically flit from punk riffs and indie jangle, to surf-rock echoes. However, the bass needs a particular mention. It is one of those instruments that rarely gets a chance to flourish in indie-rock, but within Melodramas it is the crucial ingredient – the intelligent basslines, whether brooding, pompous, or punk-rock, pushing the tracks to brilliance.
With ‘Kids’, Melodramas have crafted an EP worthy of greatness, with genre-hopping music that encompasses the best of indie, punk-rock, emo, pop, and surf-rock. I may have been pretty damn gushy in this review, but believe me when I say that not one gush has been undue.
My…new…favourite…band…FULL…STOP.
I’ve long been a fan of Melodramas; their live show is frantic almost to the degree of being punkie, but with catchy hooks. As much as I’ve enjoyed their previous releases though, I felt they hadn’t quite captured an energy honed at gigs everywhere from the south coast to Vietnam!
I’m not the only one either, with the likes of New York Doll David Johansen and erstwhile Foo Fighter Taylor Hawkins singing Melodramas praises and selecting them as tour mates. As such, I had high hopes for this, their third release!
The EP starts well, with title track Kids packing a punch. This is a festival anthem in the making, a down and dirty rocker with an urgency previously lacking from the band’s recorded material. It’s also a chance for frontman Matt Woolway to eschew the poppy vocals featured elsewhere and really snarl into his microphone while Rob Mason’s guitar chugs out menacing riffs. Elephant is up next, a track that previously appeared on the bands self-titled second release. Here it has more of a polished presentation and puts me in mind of The Coral at their most lucid moments (which is no bad thing!). It’s clear at this halfway point that working with producer Sam Williams (Plan B, Supergrass). With Sam involved it’s no surprise to see Gaz Coombes rear his shaggy head on Betelgeuse, a track that already finds itself creeping onto my summer 2012 playlist (an impressive feat, especially as it’s early March and bloody cold outside!). This track is the definition of a sing-along and benefits most of all from Williams’ production to fashion a sound that is reminiscent of the best of the summers of 96 and 97, but with a sparkly new freshness! Last track Three Crosses pootles along nicely with the sort of syncopated rhythm that just begs for a ska-punk brass section, but alas it’s not to be! Thankfully Greg Cessford’s bass and Sam Woolway’s drums propel the song along brilliantly.
I’ve thought for a while that Melodramas are on the precipice and ready to fall into the laps of music fans everywhere… these tracks might be the shove they need!
Audio Addict
Wake up and hear the music! Melodramas have created what seems to be one of the most impressive indie rock records we’ve not seen for a few years. Their live shows are something to behold of course, but this EP is something to be truly proud of. Very radio friendly and a great alternative if you’re not sure what music mood you’re in, it instantly brightens up your day. Elephant brings the circus to your ears in a clean, polished record worthy of major label recording without being too commercial. Catchy and addictive sums up this EP in a nutshell, with ‘Three Crosses’ melody hooks you in like a hot seductress at a party. An impressive EP for any music enthusiast.