Since it would seem that JUnit1 isn't quite ready to start his guest spot here at DM I thought I would post this interesting little homebrew release. Every once in a while someone contacts me asking if I would listen to and review their music. I always try to oblige with the condition that anything I review must be available for download on the internet. For an "unsigned" artist I think it's essential to put one's work on the the net for free. It encourages people, who have access to any album they want in a matter of seconds, to listen to something new from an unknown musician and most times it's at least refreshing to know music does not need corporate sponsorship to be good.
This little e.p. from New Hampshire musician Otto Kinzel is in advance of a full-length album entitled "The Pain and the Progress". Kinzel's industrial/electronica influences are apparent on these four tracks. KMFDM and Foetus spring to mind upon a first listen as well Faith No More during their "Angel Dust" period. Kinzel plays all the instruments while "guest" vocalists belt out mostly rap/rock style lyrics. Of course this is not the brand of rap/rock that's been shoved down our throats for the last ten years by bands who do it all for the nookie. The first track, "Life's Blood", really does remind me of Mike Patton's vocal styling with a hard edged industrial dance groove. "Missed Call" features a pretty rad combination of an old school jungle beat with some interesting guitar and an original arrangement that somehow stays danceable while flirting with experimental noise. The other two tracks here are pretty decent, as well. One is an instrumental showcasing Kinzel's metal guitar skills while the other is a mellow sort of meditation with a carnival theme.
Although this sort of music isn't really my usual cup of tea Otto Kinzel does it well. He's able to put together some really lush and complex arrangements that demonstrate his unique musical and production skills. Although this is a home recording, it's slick enough to be mistaken for an expensive major label release. I look forward to hearing the full album when it comes out. Good summertime driving jams.
This little e.p. from New Hampshire musician Otto Kinzel is in advance of a full-length album entitled "The Pain and the Progress". Kinzel's industrial/electronica influences are apparent on these four tracks. KMFDM and Foetus spring to mind upon a first listen as well Faith No More during their "Angel Dust" period. Kinzel plays all the instruments while "guest" vocalists belt out mostly rap/rock style lyrics. Of course this is not the brand of rap/rock that's been shoved down our throats for the last ten years by bands who do it all for the nookie. The first track, "Life's Blood", really does remind me of Mike Patton's vocal styling with a hard edged industrial dance groove. "Missed Call" features a pretty rad combination of an old school jungle beat with some interesting guitar and an original arrangement that somehow stays danceable while flirting with experimental noise. The other two tracks here are pretty decent, as well. One is an instrumental showcasing Kinzel's metal guitar skills while the other is a mellow sort of meditation with a carnival theme.
Although this sort of music isn't really my usual cup of tea Otto Kinzel does it well. He's able to put together some really lush and complex arrangements that demonstrate his unique musical and production skills. Although this is a home recording, it's slick enough to be mistaken for an expensive major label release. I look forward to hearing the full album when it comes out. Good summertime driving jams.
13 comments:
Sorry I have to say it, this music is awful. I mean the production quality is great, but thats only gold-plating a turd. I attempted to listen to this from a humorous angle but not even that worked.
I have to agree with bryan here. This is some home-made shit. The last song The Protector is actually all right, kinda has the Satanic Cowboy feel. Maybe because it's an instumental. But the vocals, lyrics, & cheezy drum program on the first three are horrendous. Teatro Satanico Muzakiller this ain't.
Well,I happen to applaud Otto Kinzel's fresh twist on industrial metal. There is no need for cruel comments. It is so easy for others to dismiss months of someone's hardwork and throw stones at their creative outlet. Not everyone can afford 10,000 dollar studio equipment and the vocals are wonderful. I like the pitch and tone of Otto Kinzel's guest vocalist.The lyrics are understandable and gut wrenching. All and all this ep is a wonderful and new experience that sticks with the listener. Bravo Otto! Artists should not have to adhere to a prescribed formula, the idea is to experiment and push boundaries.
Wow, I am always a little surprised when people dis something so hard. I mean if you don't like it then you don't like it but to completely tear it apart kind of just shows a mean spirited assholeness. Sounds like your actually angry about it or something, Bryan. And calling something that someone wrote performed and recorded themselves "shit" shows real shallowness. Like I said in the post, it's not my cup of tea really but I appreciate people who create their own music and put it out there. I do that too and I have for about 20 years so I know how tough it is. Why don't you reserve your hate for the many other things in this world that deserve it, and not for music. Whether you like it or not.
PZ,
You state in your post, "Every once in a while someone contacts me asking if I would listen to and review their music." Review their music...
What's that supposed to mean? Only positive reviews? Not all music is good, some of it is just poorly executed, poorly performed, perhaps mundane.
So if that's my opinion, then that somehow shows 'mean spirited assholeness','real shallowness', & hatred.
I may be a really shallow mean spirited asshole, but I'm not a hater, of music or of "the many other things in this world that deserve it" according to you.
Nowhere did I say I hated the music. I even said I thought the last song was all right. I then explained what elements in the music I found lacking. (I mentioned the vocals...then lauren said she liked the vocals...those are our opinions).
You can "appreciate people who create their own music and put it out there", but that doesn't necessarily make it good.
But this is all just my opinion.
I usually just don't review it if I think it sucks. I'm not in the habit of simply taking out my anger bashing people's creative efforts. Also, if I download someone's "homemade shit" and don't like it I probably just would take the time to comment and I'd delete it. It's not like you spent your hard earned cash on it. You just took a couple of minutes out of your day to give it a listen. So you didn't like it. Nothing wrong with that but he didn't traumatize you for life. I thought it was pretty good for the style and it was executed with skill so I applaud his work. It was a pretty damn solid recording. I wasn't really a fan of the vocals but, hey, a lot of people dig that kind of stuff so I thought I'd share it. That's all I have to say.
Wow. I must listen to this purely out of curiosity. I've heard it be compared from everything from Foetus and KMFDM to a gold-plated turd. At least this post is provoking some kind of emotion.
It's funny how no matter what any given comment section is about, it always ends up with someone needing to have the difference between "sharing one's opinion" and "insensitive bashing" explained to them.
Bryan and NØ, if you want people to respect your opinions, learn the difference!
Anyway, back to what this is supposed to be about- Otto's EP.
Song 1: Life's Blood - It does seem to have a strong Mike Patton (Faith No More) influence mixed with a 80's SoCal Punk style to the whole song. I enjoyed it, but the song eventually dragged on a little too long.
Song 2: Missed Call - Not as enjoyable. I feel the attempt to be so chaotic resulted with something that was more of just random styles that didn't blend very well.
Song 3: Carnival - I liked this one. The audio clips give it a nice ambiance and the lyrics were the most audible of the 4 songs. My only gripe was that the breakdowns were so long and empty that I started to loose interest in the song before it built back up again.
Song 4: The Protector - Very nice! My favorite of the EP. Made me question though how much better I would like the EP if the lyrics and singing on the other songs were different somehow.
Overall, I would rate this 3 out of 5 stars. Well recorded and mixed and hearing any musician/band willing to be truly creative and not so 'standard' gets my respect and appreciation. My constructive criticism (pay attention here Bryan and NØ) is that I feel synthesized percussion should only be used as an enhancement, not the main source of the music's beat and rhythm. Real drums played by an imperfect human have an irreplaceable feel and sound that looped synth drum beats just don't have.
I haven't listened to this yet, but it is nice to see a homebrew release garnering so much attention, even if it is polarized. I'm downloading it now, and I'll add my thoughts to the comments as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for the review PZ.
Good to see some constructive criticism on this post, FitzyBoy.
For my two cents worth. I too make my own music and my 10 Gallon hat is off to this fellow cosmic cowboy.
I liked them all and would buy it. Kinda Rob Zombie like except I can understand him better!
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