Album Review

Televandals –

• 30th Sep 2009

A range of sounds and influences inspires material created by Boston’s Televandals. What these four musicians seem to be able to do, is create a hybrid style of music that not only incorporates sounds they enjoy and listen to, but develop their own strong style of punk/electronic music.

Out of the five tracks heard, the opener was the most impressive. ‘Good for Nothing’ is an ambitious song. Musically it is lively with the use of dynamic guitars and twists of electronic twinges. It is probably the vocals of the choruses that are most likely to catch your attention; epic is the word that springs to mind. The harmonies are united as if one, projecting a passion for creating good music and makes the song very memorable as well as enjoyable to listen to.

The other four consist of two electronically inclined numbers, one that follows a similar path to the opener and another bouncier tune. There is ‘Loveless Trance’, that while stands on an electronic platform, something that remains consistent and quite dominant; it is built upon with guitars. Then there is ‘Dirty Lovers’, which has a dirty rhythm and a slick melody with an electronic edge. ‘Silence in the City’ reverts back to a grand nature of the opener. The vocals are gruff at times, on the verses mainly, but add a special touch to the combined vocals of the choruses. There is an underpinning of something electronic but this is buried and barely makes its presence known, so doesn’t overpower the song a great deal. Then there is ‘Hate Yourself’, a livelier sounding number that has a little more light to it. It is incredible strong and at times can be hard to resist tapping along to.

These five tracks are certainly something to enjoy until the release of the bands forthcoming debut album.