††† – EP ††
Independent 2012
The first missive from ††† (aka Crosses) was a relatively easy fit for Deftones fans — what with Team Sleep and Deftones noiseweaver Frank Delgado already acclimating audiences to Chino Moreno‘s vocals overtop of electronic compositions.
A surprisingly jagged and confrontational listen, “EP †” was above all else overtly seductive. On this latest release from the heralded Deftones/Far offshoot, the bluntness of the electronics and percussion has been replaced by a much softer cadence — though the sense of hazy longing remains.
Boasting an increased amount of analog instrumentation and a looser vibe, “EP ††” lacks the tension of their debut bow. The pressure of making a lasting first impression is off and this has paved the way for some rather dreamy dirges. If anything most of “EP ††” could be summed up as the electronically-aided equivalent of aural Melatonin.
Feeling inherently more live-oriented, the songs seem written with performances in mind. This is understandable given their touring plans, and the lingering distortion-led drone of the included track “Fron†ier” proves that there is merit to this approach.
But the oddly undeniable standout track here is the dancey electro funk found on “†elepa†hy“. With it’s bouncy bassline and hauntingly detached vocals, it is clearly the highlight of the more organic direction ††† have taken upon themselves. Even if it finds itself somewhat out of canon for the players involved.
It’s certainly not easy to pass judgment on a band this early into their career, especially when their past works play so heavily into any bias. But as a whole “EP ††” comes off a tad rushed in comparison to their debut. It lacks the expected complexity and is perhaps a bit too breezy for its own good.
Most of the tracks, while lovelorn and wistful, favor texture and atmosphere over song development. Yes they’re enjoyable and and haunting, but they lack the spark to make them wholly memorable.
- USER RATING
- ( 26 votes, 4.19 stars )
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COMMENTS
After a week of listening to this, some of the songs on here are strong. My only real complaint is the cringe-worthy guitar solo at the end of Prurient. Why?! It’s just sort of…. there.
They got that badass drummer from Dredg to tour with them. Man, that should be a great show!
I think that solo is more from the “Far” side of the camp.
wook, you nailed it. EP † caught my attention every time i listened to it, this one is good and all but i honestly didn’t realize it was over when it finished.
So spot-on about “†elepa†hy“; I can’t get the fucking thing out of my head.
Of the two this one sounds less like Team Sleep and more like Team Sleep and Far combined if they started their careers in 1982. I really like it and I look forward to the next EP. Also… It should be noted that I listened to these songs for FREE on YouTubes and immediately bought them. Suck one Dez and Randy. I hate nothing more than buying a movie ticket or an album that sucks and feeling that dreaded “buyer’s remorse” afterwards. Like, “Fuck, I spent that money. I’ll dig deep for some redeeming quality” only to find nothing but buyer’s remorse.
EP II is growing on me. At first I thought, this is good, but nowhere as good as EP I. On repeat listens, EP II is getting better and better. I think 1987 is the weak link and it’s about 2 minutes too short.
I burned EP I, EP II, and the single The Years onto a CD and I’m digging the whole thing except 1987′s ending. I’d like to see if they can keep up this rate of creativity and become prolific.
Wook is right, Telepathy, is the standout track. It should be cheesy as Hell, but it just works.
I absolutely LOVE everything this band has put out. Even with that, it seems like they are starting a pattern of putting a bunch of solid songs around one that stands out head and shoulders above the rest of the EP. First, the Thholygst and now Telepathy. Both songs are incredible and easily some of the best stuff Chino has ever been involved with. Keep up the good work guys.
Telepathy is just plain great music; catchiest chorus I’ve heard in a while, regardless of genre. It would feel right at home in a club 25 years ago. Great stuff.
As a whole, I think the first EP’s better. But there’s gold in here for sure. I think Prurient is fantastic too. 4/5
I gotta agree with everyone else saying this one just didn’t grab me overall like the debut EP. That said, they played a new song* at the Glass House show tonight, which definitely had me . It had a significant electronic sound to it, with a constant quick beat that carried through the whole song. NIN’s Last or Memorabilia come to mind, with the aggresiveness of it probably falling somewhere right in between those songs. Which is kinda to say, expect something closer to This is a Trick versus the rest of their songs. (I suck at explaining music, so that’s the best I got.)
*Though I suppose it could’ve just been some cover I didn’t recognize. Hopefully not.
Side note: They also had Annie Hardy come out for the encore and played Giant Drag’s Swan Song, which was a cool surprise.
After living with this E.P. for a little over a week, I like it more than after my few initial listens, But it still doesn’t grab me like the 1st E.P.
Wook – your review is dead on! However, please stop using words I have to look up on dictionary.com – you make me feel retarded!
R.I.P. PRP Board, wook i think it’s time to fill that empty space up top with the new Merch section. just sayin.
Ep’s are very nice
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