Picking holes in bands that lodge themselves under the ‘experimentalist’ banner may well be the reviewer’s equivalent of a fast-break dunk but a simple fact remains; experimentalist music is so very difficult to get right. Yes, the whole point of being ‘experimental’ is to try new things, to push boundaries, to run rampant outside of the common norm, but let’s face it, experimental bands tend more often than not to be a tad unpalatable. Unfortunately, Illinois based Pisces At The Animal Fair fits that particular bracket snugly.
The major problem with ‘Giraffe Conversations’, a five track EP, is that there tends to be far too much going on which leads to too many muddy spots. Genre wise, it’s kind of a concoction of mathcore, indie rock and electro. The intention seems to have been to create a series of soundscapes, but with one instrument drowning out another it’s never really given the time to develop. Perhaps it’s the recording quality (this is very much lo-fi, in-your-bedroom type stuff) that hinders. Given a more structured environment this may work. Certainly there are a few brighter moments.
“Nectarine Pi”, which is essentially an interlude piece in all but name, actually sounds okay. It’s a bit more electronica based and a bit heavier. Sitting it alongside “Benders Gotten Ax”, a calmer number, again interlude-like, works well but isn’t really enough to impress. As a whole the record is let down by vocals that vary between drama school nonsense and ‘forced forceful’ (the vocalist may try for a sense of noisecore but it doesn’t work). Where ‘Giraffe Conversations’ works best is where the vocals are flung to the side.
This release, as a first experiment, is acceptable. Although it’s not all that good it certainly doesn’t require a cross painting on the door. Given a few more experiments Pisces At The Animal Fair may well find a sound that works and make for noteworthy listening. For now though it’s back to the lab for a few more tests.
Alex