So, I've been waiting about three years for this damn thing! I've played the Demo of "Alligators in the Palisades" on pretty much every episode of Kindred Sanction since I got it back in 2005.
So the question on everyone's mind is: "Was it worth the wait?" Well that depends. If you like Banderas and their music is your thing, then hell yes. If you aren't into this sort of thing, then this album will probably do little to change your mind. But I will gladly put myself on the Banderas bandwagon.
Production wise, the album is top notch, by any standard. It's mixed hot but even in the mp3s the individual instruments sit nicely in the mix. Typically in local releases, the bass get's lost somewhere, but on "Beast Sounds and Parlour Tricks" everything is loud yet crystal clear.
It's nice to hear "Alligators" with some sweet mastering treatment, a definite improvement from the demo verison. And "Click Crash Boom" is a nice driving rocker that you don't have to think about much. It will certainly be making it into the rotation on my show.
What is surprising to me at least having not seen them live yet is the variety in the songs. I initially thought "Disgraceland", "We Got the Night", and "La Zona" could easily find their way onto a Tomahawk release with their haunting minimalist guitar lines and creepy lyrics, whereas "Cosmic Boss", "Rocket", and "The Legend of Suicide Kid" made me want to pull out my copy of Mechanical Animals for old times sake.
The variety doesn't stop there, ""$50 Pyramid Scheme" is a relatively down tempo song and kind of reminded me of an AC/DC song (At least from the rhythm section). But then certain parts of "Ground Out Heel" would make me believe that someone in Banderas likes Bowie. It's as if for the chorus they re-interpreted China Girl. But the bridge could easily be an Isis song(or entire album). And the end of the song is bordering on beautiful, not something that I would expect from Banderas.
Despite the variety, the vocal delivery is probably the most constant thread that tie Beast Sounds and Parlour Tricks together. But even in that department, there is variety. "Ground Out Heel" and "La Zona" both switch between the raw/spoken/screamed delivery I've come to associate with Banderas and some David Bowie croons. And dare I say I hear a little bit of a Mike Patton influence creeping into some parts of "La Zona" as well?
"Mandragoria" (an instrumental) is a pleasant surprise. Again, I hear maybe a nod to Isis or even Mogwai, and still know that this is Banderas.
The disc ends ,surprisingly, pretty much as it began, like the band has been fucking with you the whole time only to return to it's original tricks..
Initially it is easy to be led to believe that Banderas can be lumped in with the endless sea of bands who take a good deal of inspiration from the Stooges in both sound and stage manner. But in this albums case, I think there's a strong case to be made on belhalf of the bands' creativity that occurs amongst the swagger.
Banderas can definitely groove, and crank it up when need be. But the Stooges comparison doesn't hold up for me when I hear guitar work like the bridge in "The Legend of the Suicide Kid" or "The Full Moon Feeling". Technically the solos are too cleanly executed to be the Stooges, but they carry enough grit to fit in nicely with the songs that would make an excellent soundtrack to a barroom fight.
If Banderas was hoping to send a message that they have more to offer than your typical Stooges fueled glam rock, then they have successfully driven that point home with this album.
Banderas will be having their CD Release show at The Mad Hatter on Friday May 23rd with Angels of Meth, Arms Exploding and The Upset Victory.
They will also be on Kindred Sanction on WAIF FM 88.3 fm(Stream Online) Thursday May 22nd from 9pm to 10pm.
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