Album Review
Basement – Colourmeinkindness
Grunge has been enjoying a revival as of late, not least due to the increasing discretion by a select number of punk bands to infuse the early 90s genre into their newest material. Arguably Title Fight are the biggest culprits in recent months, trading their underground new-wave punk sound for an altogether more amateur approach. Basement have taken a page out of this book, opting to move one step further into the genre following the small shift between previous releases ‘Songs About The Weather’ and ‘I Wish I Could Stay Here’.
‘Colourmeinkindness’ (despite the innate annoyance generated through the singularity of words) acts as a homage to grunge rather than a direct copy of the genre. Instead the punk is all but uprooted by the merging of heavy rock instrumentals and sludgy tempos. To classify this record as grunge suggest it carries with it a similar edge to that of the early 90s, or even a powerful kick that often found itself ingrained into the genre – yet rather than attempt to recreate a garage atmosphere, Basement have provided a substantial level of clean production over a slowed down, and atmospheric, rock record. The structure deliberately avoids misplaced surges of power, comfortable in the barren soundscape. The result is a separation from the grunge classification – in essence a modern sound that has been manipulated through a 90s filter.
As would be expected, ‘Colourmeinkindness’ is not uplifting or energetic. The pace of the record rarely varies, and is often pulled to a crawl by the droning vocals. Both ‘Covet’ and ‘Bad Apple’ inject an edge of stoner rock to proceedings; surprisingly providing the highlights of the record. On the other hand, ‘Black’ and the opener ‘Whole’ allow the gruff nature of the vocals to protrude – the latter playing out as a slower version of wave band Make Do and Mend.
The LP revels in its bleakness – this bleakness forming the centrepiece of the record. Whether classed as revivalist emo, punk or grunge, Basement have strived towards an uncompromising musical impression. Grunge may be in the middle of a revival, yet few bands have borrowed from the sound so heavily without reverting back to a tired sound. ‘Colourmeinkindness’ is retrospective, downbeat and bleak – but sitting depressed in a darkened bedroom has never sounded so good.
Venue: Colourmeinkindness
Support Band: Run For Cover