OK, this is the lazy man’s review of Muff. Shocking name I know, but apparently it stands for Mistake Us For Friends so we’ll let them off. They kindly sent me two CDs to review, their ‘Set The World’ EP and a self-titled effort. Both appear to be self-released and funded and for the information anorkas out there, Muff come from Hamilton, Scotland. So what have we got? Well it’s a kind of Rufio-esque pop-punk that also has a hint of former Christian punks Craig’s Brother (RIP) thrown in for good measure. Oh, and it’s potentially fucking ace, even if it doesn’t quite hit the spot it maybe should. But sadly it’s a game of two halves…
‘Set The World’ is a five-tracker which reminds me of Slick Shoes at their best, all fast technical pop-punk with some absolutely gob-smackingly great drumming. While the lyrics at time are slightly cringeworthy, the musicianship shows these guys are on to something. Vocalist Steve doesn’t have the strongest voice in the world, and it is very American-sounding, but it’s passable, lending itself to Craig’s Brother as I mentioned previously. ‘I’m Sorry’ is a bit generic but the melodies and harmonies salvage everything, and by the third lesson you’re attempting to sing along, ‘Reemo’ is faster and more furious than a Vin Diesel movie while ‘Themes Of Change’ would be an absolute ripper if they ditched the acoustic bit at the beginning. The drums are brilliant though, this guy has a career in the biz even if the band don’t make it. The record’s title track is a little slower in pace but still very listenable, while ‘Dumb Kid’ is excrutiatingly bad lyrically, putting a downer on things generally. Still, the potential here is immense and so deserves a (4) from 5.
The self-titled five tracker is their more recent effort and what is immediately noticeable is the production sounds so much better. But things go downhill rapidly from here. Opener ‘In Your Life’ doesn’t quite hit home like some of the other songs do, but it again shows Muff have what it takes to forge a career in the business. They’re still more So-Cal than Glasgow, but still, I guess pop-punk attracts that kind of sound nowadays. The vocals miss the spot a couple of times, leaving this song more miss than hit, but ‘Letter Home’ is better, if not as good as some of the older songs. ‘It’s Raining Outside’ introduces screaming (oh no…) and the vocals are again weak – but everything is saved by the fantastic riffery showcased in ‘Wrong But Thoughtful’; it’s just a pity it doesn’t go on for the whole song. Things are completed with a re-hashed ‘Set The World’, an odd choice as it’s arguably the second worst song from the first EP, but they’ve obviously taken a shine to it and this newer version is better, quicker, better and quicker. All at the same time. I’d still like to see ‘Reemo’ blasted out at full pelt mind. (2.5)
If Ben Punktastic was reviewing this first EP he would have creamed his pants (I think). Imagine a more established Buzztone, with extra melodies and better production (even though I suspect this was budget stuff) and you’re half-way there. It’s not the most original record ever, nor the most creative, but for an unsigned band’s demo release the earlier record is fantastic. The second is generic and disappointing, showing just fleeting glimpses of what might have been, so let’s hope EP1 is not a fluke. I doubt Muff will be unsigned for long…I give it three months. Record labels, start your engines please!
www.muff-music.com
steve_muff@hotmail.com
Paul