The
Bangkok Five typical rock
By
Jamie Rowe
Online Forty-Niner
Editor in Chief
Upon first listen, the Bangkok Five (tB5) has a surfer feel to its music, but
repeated playing of its sophomore album, “Who’s Gonna Take Us Alive,” reveals
a complex mix of various genres.
Vocalist Frost’s deep, scratchy voice is reminiscent of Avenged Sevenfold’s
M. Shadows, while the rest of the band, consisting of lead guitarist Holcom
Ks, guitarist Sweeney, bassist Coatez and drummer Blanco, exudes an early Bad
Religion-esque sound (think
“
Against the Grain” or “Generator”).
The opening track is a little strange, which seems to be the new trend. This
track features a one-sided conversation with a gradually louder beeping noise
in the background. It’s only 15 seconds long, so just sit tight and wait
for the rest of the album. The rest has a hard rock feel, although tB5’s
PR people say the band is an “indie phenomenon.”
I have to say I am disappointed in the last track, “Giana (God Rest Your
Soul, Sweet Sister).” It sounds like a whiney, boy band took over the
band members’ bodies and snuck into the recording studio late one night
to lay down this wussy track. The song is pretty melodic, so I can’t
knock it down too far. It just does not fit in with the band’s sound.
The members lose just a bit of their edgy coolness for even considering putting
this song on the album. They should have included another mellow song or left
this one off all together.
This group tries to come off as a bunch of counterculture, screw-mainstream-type
punks, yet looks like a typical emo band (think tight clothes, gaunt faces
and modern mop-top hair cuts). The combination of its looks and music must
be a startling sight indeed, but one I would like to see some day.
Even the album’s cover art is a collage of random things, including one
mouth licking another, a couple guns, pictures of the band members playing
their instruments and a cassette tape (you know those things we used before
CDs got popular).
The group has toured with the likes of Hot Hot Heat, which is subtly reflected
in some songs, and, the more appropriate, Peaches. The eclectic sound of “Who’s
Gonna Take Us Alive,” seems to be a mashing of various bands tB5 has
hung around. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but is a bit difficult when
listening to.
Overall the CD has a good, fast-paced beat. Although, the music defies classification,
it is very melodic and each instrument blends well with the others.
If you’re looking for something different pick up this album, but if
your mind can’t branch outside capitalism’s classification of everything,
don’t bother.
|
