Darwin's Waiting Room are one of the most refreshing faces to surface in the indie scene as of late. Combining spastic basslines, gritty street level raps, melody driven choruses and at times verses and hooks plus an overall innovative fresh sound, this group has it going on. Somewhat comparable to a more pissed off Shootyz Groove or Capstone the band brings aggression and bleak images of various topics painted vividly throughout the lyrical driven compositions the band creates on this disc. Almost at times sounding political or moralistic the band can be encrusted with volatility or put on an all out groovefest blurring the lines of musical influences while even incorporating of all things, dancehall influences. Gritty shrewd rap vocals come courtesy of Grimm, the groups designated hip hop lyricist who brings with him witty barbed verses that range from satire to political minded ideals and everything in between. A somewhat coarse tone is attached to his voice as he wades effortlessly through the constant verbal downpour and almost staccato style he uses. Clever wordplay and tight rhymes are his forte and give the band a grimy street smart vibe. Meanwhile Jaybee the groups melodic vocalist capitalizes on holding out notes and shifting pitches in mid cry while also backing up the rhymes throughout the verses with keenly placed draw out verses of his own. The trick to the groups chemistry is the ability to change and the vocals document this well, the first track is a rap driven vehicle, heavy with aggression and fronted by Grimm, while the second track is a poignant emotion heavy slow number which showcases Jaybee's lush voice, yet is also peppered with a dancehall/rap styled interjection by Grimm. Their ability to capitalize on the contrast between both vocalists is one thing that sets this band apart from most. Guitars are a streaming auditory pleasure, there's electric and acoustic work coupled with lush playing that doesn't try to distinguish itself and instead attaches itself to the melody, at times effect ridden and sometimes screeching there's ample room to breath with the experimental riffs put to use, but it's all done without resorting to a Morello-esque flavor. Bass playing by Alex is ripe with effects giving a very tripped out tone which for the most part relies on an envelope filter. Funky bottom heavy bass lines that go through the motions of slap and pop to solid guitar syncopation surface frequently on this CD and they do so topped off with slide heavy grooves and catchy mellowed out hip hop style repeating parts that weave a web around the listener. An interesting part of Darwin's music is the prevalent roles both the bass and vocals take in the song structure providing for an interesting mix as the low end locks with the high end. Drums, the final element of the groups music are continuous with solid beats and a semi tribal style that is wrapped snugly in a blanket of highat and cymbal work. With insanely catchy basslines and cleverly placed vocal hooks that reinforce the songs foundations, this group knows what they want and do and execute it in a refined manner. Perhaps the only thing that somewhat dampens this CD is the fact that just a bit more riff variation could help, the instrumental parts are played deftly, but remain static for the most part and a more colorful backdrop to the vocals could give the band that extra edge. With groove heavy rhythms, semi automatic bursts of verbal venom and hypnotic melody, Darwin's Waiting Room's music is anything but "Transparent". Definitely check this band out.
(4.5 / 5)