The word ‘eclectic’ was invented for bands like These Arms Are Snakes. The insanely named ‘The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home’ throws in all kinds of effects, samples and noises to come up with something pretty unique and original. There is certainly a nod towards modern-era Cave In, but TAAS have a twisted take on things that they can certainly call their own. ‘Angela’s Secret’ is a twisted mess of a track that mixes bass rumblings with psychotic screams, while ‘Gadget Arms’ is an electronic mess that goes on for eight minutes. It’s a mess in terms of structure, but its chaos is cathartic and works well to break up the 11-tracks on offer.
But there are other genre-defying moments here too. TAAS refuse to be drawn into one particular sound and while that can make them difficult to pin down on first listen, it does make the whole album feel more rewarding over a period of time. ‘Big News’ is more rockin’ with a rock and roll style vocal coated in squally guitars, while ‘Tracing’ is quite haunting with its organ-fuelled sound.
It’s difficult to believe TAAS came from the ashes of Botch, such is the inventiveness and originality the band attempt to convey. They’re also better than Roy, another Botch side-band, which came across as a wussy alt-rock version of The Weakerthans. These Arms Are Snakes is not a band that I would usually listen to, but ‘The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home’ is a fine record which you should try and check out.
www.thesearmsaresnakes.com
Jade Tree
Paul