A prologue is designed to the set the scene and introduce you to an entire piece of work. It can often give you a taste of the things soon to come and prepare you neatly for the future. I can often tell whether I am going to enjoy a book or not after I have read the prologue as it represents the whole book in hand. The same goes for prologue on Comanechi’s debut album, ‘Crime of love’.
28 seconds of clattering cymbals and dissonant guitar chords, if this album is going to appeal to you, you will know by the time the prologue is over. “Prologue” is a perfect introduction to an album that is raw both in composition and production and yes it does lead the listener nicely into the first song on the record, “Rabbit Hole”. Punk guitar riffs layered over a fast drumbeat, this is definitely an in-your-face number but it is singer/drummer Akiko Matsuura’s spiky J-pop voice that hits you the hardest. It is almost a contradiction but oddly the pairing works as her vocals are practically screamed at you in all the right places. The chorus ‘You’re embarrassed to be alive/What are you scared off?’ is shot into your ears with maximum spite and by the time it reaches your brain you can tell that this band does not give a fuck.
“Crime Of Love” follows in suit led by Simon Petrovitch’s infectious guitar riffs. This song drips of sex obsession to a humorous level, ‘Celibate/I just don’t get it/Cuz I deserve to get well fucked’ and just so happens to be one of the strongest tracks on this album. The following song ‘Death Of You’ is where we see guitarist Simon’s true intentions shine though. The, ahem, breakdown is practically death metal. This is displayed throughout the album and may not be for everyone but most will agree that it adds to its raw destructive charm
There are plenty of other memorable moments in this record. The double hit of “Close Enough To Kiss” and “Mesmerising Fingers” provide the listener with the catchiest moments of the album and both include sweet hooks that you may find yourself humming when going about your daily business. The album’s delights do not end at these centrepieces though. Oh no. The insane “My Pussy” (you all have dirty minds) tells the story of Akiko’s cat who was catnapped by a man who made drum skins and displays Akiko’s desperate attempts at retrieving the cat to no avail. But don’t worry, closer “R.O.M.P” details the pussy’s revenge like some kind of demented kids storybook.
Overall Comanechi’s “Crime Of Love’ is the music equivalent to swallowing barbed wire coated with sugar. Painful, spiky and it will make you bleed internally but it is sweet and thoroughly enjoyable. Any fan of Nirvana et al, will find pleasure in listening to this record. Sure Merriweather Post Pavilion was superb and nothing short of a masterpiece BUT you wont find anywhere near as much fun from 2009 as you will in this record
8/10
Worth Checking Out: Nirvana, PRE, HEALTH
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