On with the Experiment,
RemainderfourLeeds based label ‘Bombed Out Records’ have seen there fair share of successions over the years. Amongst others, they have played host to such talented bands as Eighty Six, Dugong, Joe Ninety, Fig 4.0 etc, with all a familiar name to those with even a passing interest in the UK scene. However the latest additions ‘Remainderfour’, are a slight change of tack for the label. Much gentler melodies have come in and the band formerly known as Census has released a rather lacklustre 47 minutes of nothingness. It is only on rare occasions (‘Borderland’ – A delightfully upbeat ditty) that the band ever pull out of 2nd gear. But more often than not the album is so flat and defunct of ideas that you can’t help but find yourself making more of an effort to stay awake than concentrate on anything that is happening on the airwaves.
Combining slow painful music over a distinctly flat vocal voice, the vocals of Gemma Mather do little to inspire either. This album is simply dull, even when it threatens to explode into a glut of noise it simply goes back into the same routine of tired chord strumming and insipid musical execution. ‘Waiting Games’ is a good example of this as a sharp intro is complemented with piercing verses before trailing away when the chorus comes in. But maybe the constant sense of unnerving boredom comes from the songs dragging out well past their sell by date. But this does instil self-control in attempting not to reach for the skip button and proves an entertaining side game for the listener. But amongst the lack of ideas are a couple of hidden gems. ‘So this is a Goodbye’ manages to come across as tender without wet, while the funky ‘Dialogue’ is too little late and provides an impressive homecoming for the end of the album. But tracks such as these do little to change the opinion that the band is currently walking into brick walls musically. Remainderfour are a dull band plying a type of slow heartfelt music which needs to have something about it get noticed, and unless something radically changes in the future, it won’t be capturing too many peoples imaginations.
Jay
Bombed Out Records
