When I was told I'd be reviewing Tyrannothesaurus and I read the word ‘emotronic' I thought ‘Tricky... how am I going to listen to it without vomiting blood?' but now I HAVE heard it, I'm pleased to inform you that I wouldn't necessarily describe it as emotronic. It's actually damn good. ‘Break Things' is an aural treat-it reminds me of watching children's TV programmes on acid. Sporadic and punchy, a great song to drive around checking people out to this summer.
And now for something completely different - Futuristic Retro Champions are a band that seems to be innovation personified. If it were possible to collect sunshine in a sound bite, then this here would be your evidence. Quite unlike pretty much anything else you will hear nowadays, this sunny slice of happy hardcore, emotronic (which, for the records, happens to be the best adjective ever) pop is just what the current music scene needs in terms of something fresh and something new.
The guys from Monster Eats The Pilot took the TSM Radio interview this week. Richard, Robert and Matt are based in California. Richard was born in France and sometimes incorporates french lyrics into his songs. It was evident that Richard had some french in him as when I explained that the band would not be paid for the interview he set up a demonstration and barricaded the office with bales of hay and sheep and started mocking me about my love making techniques and my lack of taste in food.
This of course is not true and I love the french...they make good cheese.
With this self titled track comes a bombardment of U.S guitar rock, tinged clearly with 80's New Wave British influences. We are lead in by a bass rift which echo's of Joy Division, and there is no denying a strong Cure feel to this amazingly vibrant song. There are of course some American influences evident too; the vocals are reminiscent of Arcade Fire in their haunting harmonies. There is a hungry sense of urgency conveyed through the up tempo beats and hearty vocals that gives this song an interesting edge. "It's like moving in a dream, you're asleep but your body doesn't know it," with their well written lyrics and catchy melodies this American band are definitely stirring up some interest.