NI

3.5 stars. That cover art is pretty hilarious. This is NI's second release and like the first it's an EP. This one is from 2012 and is 29 minutes long with five tracks. A four piece of two guitarists, bass and drums, they play a frantic style of music that is mathy and punkish. They do bring to mind some of those Japanese bands like RUINS and KOREKYOJINN for their stop on a dime then play at fast levels that are both complex and noisy. This is not for everyone. I get tired listening to this.

I wondered why I had both of their EPs but not any of their three studio albums. That doesn't make sense to me other than the EPs came first, and so this is where I got off the bus I suppose. In hindsight the shorter releases are a blessing. This band is also involved with a band called PINOIL where they joined forces with the band POIL, and worked both of their band names in there. "Non" might be the best example of the music I'm talking about here. It opens and ends with a scream and in between a lot of noisy and mathy, avant music.

"Gringo" is better as they slow it down at times. The bass is great after 4 minutes and we get a heavy ending. "Grand Barbier" surprisingly has some jazzy moments to start and later on. Grinding guitar before 2 minutes and some contrasts on this one. "Marquage Culotte" builds quickly and we get some vocal expressions. Big bass at 2 1/2 minutes as the guitar cries out. "Carl Lewis" is the longest song of course, they had to fit his big ego in there I guess. Some spoken words early and heavy drums before it kicks in hard.

I like this better than the first EP, but of the three bands I mentioned earlier I prefer POIL and their work with that Japanese artist. More my speed.