published: 4 /
7 /
2019
Label:
Metropolis
Format: CD
Chicago punk trio Muet hits the spot with their tragically, contemporary riffs and impassioned vocals
Review
If not already, Muet should be considered an unquestionable rising star in the Chicago punk/post-industrial scene. Their self-titled debut speaks volumes about their distinctive storytelling. This talented trio features vocalist/vox player Steven Seibold, guitarist/bassist Daniel Evans and drummer/droner Vince Mcaley. Guest Mike Love plays an especially impassioned bass on ‘Oszu’.
The CD opens with ‘Leather Jacket Perfume’. A bold, astounding beat circulates on this jam, as Evans bursts alive with a raucous solo. Seibold’s brawny, versatile vocals will take your breath away. But their second track, the four-plus minute ‘Muscle’ is the absolute stunner. It features a deep-thrust story line and trembling, unforgettable riffs, reminiscent of the Strokes. It’s also the star of their recently released video.
Check out some of the ballad’s tear-stained lyrics: “Standing here naked, covered in bruises/If I can’t kiss you now, you will never know…” Seibold’s next desperate plea protrudes during the refrain: “You’re my only muscle/Do you hate me? I’m dirt.” The cutting-edge images cut against Evans’s flagrant progression with the force of a Bowie knife.
I love the way ‘How It Was’ moves. The surprising tempo shift allures. The powerful build results in less a conventional song, then a disarming mood.
‘Weirdest Sex’ forces us home with Mcaley’s blistering energy. The pulse resounds with a refreshing, youthful spin. “I am a drink/I am a drive,” Seibold declares unabashedly. ‘Reach Out and Murder’ exhumes with fantastic riffery and dark, soulful lead vocals.
‘Opening Up’ is unsettlingly suspenseful, again, less a conventional song, than a mysterious soliloquy. ‘The People are Quiet’ begins with the image of an “open casket.” If you’re frightened, skip to the following track, but for my money, I recommend staying the course.
‘Onzu’ harkens back to the Ventures era, when electric guitar resolutely refused to move over. Whilst, ‘On to You’ is primarily a filler, ‘Her Dad’s Car’ is a definite keeper. Here, as the moving narrative rises above the infectious beats, a tragically, beautiful story emerges.
The last track, ‘Curve of the Earth,’ shimmers. Against dreamy guitar, Seibold’s aching vocals transport us to another dimension. You’ll come away wondering, where has Muet been all my life? And longing to hear more.
Track Listing:-
1
leather jacket perfume
2
muscle
3
how it was
4
weirdest sex
5
reach out and murder
6
opening up
7
the people are quiet
8
on2u
9
they can't find me here
10
her dad's car
11
curve of the earth