GRAPPLING HOOKS

This album is a fine example of how to make a seemingly unmeshable bunch of ingredients actually work. Productionwise, you have almost garage sounding drums, vocal harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys, unpolished analogue synths that wouldn't sound out of place on any mid-seventies electronic album as well as a fair share of heavy guitar riffing. Add to that the impression that in terms of style Grappling Hooks may seem a bit directionless. There is, for instance, the very accessible Cell Count single with it's catchy chorus hooks, the (intentionally?) hilarious oddity of Audioplastic, as well as some really beautiful and atmospheric gems like Alexanderplatz and Drawing Maps from Memory... songs that fall somewhat inbetween those like Some Blue Hive... And then there's the instrumental Star Chamber which is likely to be a real love and/or hate it song. The best way I could describe that one is that it tends to get on my nerves in a pleasant sort of way.

This album is rather easy to digest, but still has a lot of growing potential as well. It's nothing extreme by any means, not the most suitable release for mathcore/progmetal/Berklee School of Shredding lovers... instead it's refreshing, lush, beautiful, odd, and just plain fun. And most of all, _very_ undeserving to become yet another overlooked gem. Which seems a bit likely due to the very few ratings it got so far here on PA. Highly recommended to those who'd like to experience that indie/alternative/post-prog actually CAN put a smile on your face. 4,5 stars actually.

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