Label: Misra Records

Release Date: February 3, 2004

Website: www.centro-matic.com

Centro-Matic - Flashes and Cables EP
Matthew Ralph

Consider this my introduction to Centro-matic, a band I've heard many a glowing review of over the years. Whether or not this is the best intro to the band is hard to tell, but the title track of this EP is about as great a how-do-you-do as a band could provide. Starting off with a nice atmospheric tap of the keys and a vocal style that reminds me of a clean-shaven Eric Bachmann - especially all the talk about bastards, scoundrels and fascists. From its humble beginnings, the song tears into a shining twisted pop song with layers upon layers of goodness. The track is repeated later on in the CD with the relax/recline version, a much quieter version of the song that you almost welcome hearing again with a different approach. It's sort of like "Wait I like this song, why does this sound familiar? Oh yeah, it's the first song."

"Guillotines Hung Together" continues that aggressive tone, mixing busy and noisy guitar work with snarly vocals that enough energy to mess up a haircut or two. "Why They Are Playing So Loudly" comes back down to earth, but is still big even in its quieter tone. After the repeat of the title track, the final two tracks lose some steam, but the good thing is there are videos - four of them. With the exception of "Why They Are Playing So Loudly" all the videos are songs from other recordings and so for a first-timer it makes for an even better intro to a band that I'm going to find myself looking into more after this.

posted 02.29.03

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Matt Ralph has bags full of bad CD's. Add to his collection at matt@tangzine.com

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