Many rock bands list their musical influences, and every track they create sounds like an amateur attempt at an original cover song. Other rock bands list musical influences, and would probably be beaten to death by said influences if they ever heard the results and felt responsible for spawning such unorganized noise and chaos under the guise of making music.
Liquid Me is a three piece rock band from upstate New York that does not suffer from either of these afflictions. These guys know what they are trying to accomplish and create. They know what they are, as well as knowing what they are not, and this was very apparent as we listened to this self titled, five track debut EP. Liquid Me lists hard rock, grunge, and punk influences; and the band does an insane job of welding them all together with their individual styles and talents.
The album as a whole has an aggressive rock feel, driven by angry grunge and punk, sometimes charging up with heavy metal inspired guitar solos and breakdowns. Furious driving bass and smashing drums combine with heavy walls of guitar, complete with all kinds of nasty squeals and distortion. This finely complements vocals that are rich and full, yet raspy and pissed off without ever entering the realms of whining or crying.
The rhythm section of Kris (Bass) and Todd (Drums) provide a solid foundation for Lotus to rip his guitar and vocal work over top. They play with a purpose and keep the pace of each track solid in a simple, yet technical manner without becoming boring or repetitive. Both Kris and Todd have several moments, specifically in "She Said" and "Fallout", where they team up and move to the front to carry the song, as well as in other smaller moments throughout the rest of the album. This creates a nice change of pace to the overall EP and keeps the listener anticipating the next change-up on every track.
The EP was produced and mastered by accomplished professionals in Jeff Da Bella (Autopilot Off, Island/Universal), and Mike Dominici (Black Label Society, Mos Def), and they did an exceptional job. Rock this one in some quality headphones or speakers, and you will pick up all kinds of subtle studio effects, feedback, vocal effects and interesting tones. Post production tricks on this EP are subtle, fitting into and enhancing parts of each song without slowing it down or becoming ridiculous. It all adds to create a great production while keeping an authentic feel that can be performed live on stage and still sound like they are playing the same song.
"Liquid Me" will be available on May 6th 2011, and we highly recommend grabbing yourself a copy. Every track is solid, but our favorites to crank way the fuck up are "Fallout" and "See Thru", as both get particularly sick with guitar work and a faster pace as they close out. So we will say it again, go get a copy right now and enjoy it for your goddamn self. Or go turn on Jack FM and get the fuck off of this page.
-Angry Pirate, P. Plastino-Black Collar Radio
