Demo Title: Melodram E.P.
Band Members: Dave Mikuta - vocals, guitars; Bob Ostrowski - drums; Brian Oakes - bass
Location: Northampton, MA
Rating: 3 Skulls
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Band Name: Melodram
Demo Title: Melodram E.P. Band Members: Dave Mikuta - vocals, guitars; Bob Ostrowski - drums; Brian Oakes - bass Location: Northampton, MA Rating: 3 Skulls
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Redwolff's Review:
Melodram is now a three-piece from Massachusetts, but when this disc (labeled "2004 Deadpan Music") was recorded in 2001 it was performed by the singer with some assistance from two other guys no longer associated with the band. In that case it is a bit difficult to judge this EP as, should I like it, I might wonder if the newly added members can do it justice; on the other hand, should I not like it, I might hope that they improve the live performance of these songs. As it is I can realy only comment on the quality of the singer and the songs themselves.I do like this disc for the most part. While the production is not the best (it definitely sounds like a demo, e.g., you can hear the singer inhaling between lines), the songs themselves are pretty well written and inventive. For one thing, Melodram makes good use of surprising slides between major and minor chords, giving what could have been a straight-ahead tune a bit of a twist and making it more memorable. The vocals are mostly clean, staying in tune for the majority of the album but not as strong as they could be. This is an example of something I hope has improved in the three years since this was originally recorded. The musical style is not terribly harsh or heavy, more a mix between metal and hard rock and thankfully not metalcore - although, who knows what treatment they are giving the songs now what with the recent metalcore explosion. The two tracks listed on the back as "required listening," "Diatribe" and "All Eyes Glowing," are actually not as interesting as something like "Transmissionary" with its layered, harmonic vocals, reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. "The Undoing" sounds a bit forced and like the "band" was trying on a tuff new jacket that didn't quite fit. "Air of Silence" is the singer at his best on a mellow track featuring acoustic guitar which reminds me of some of Zeppelin's gentler fare. "Without Soul" is probably the best track with overlaid vocals and nice fat guitars, but the singer's attempts at a rough edge again feel forced and unnatural.
I hear a lot of plodding, early Soundgarden and the aforementioned Red Hot Chili Peppers in this EP, giving the 2001 recording an even more dated feel. A slightly increased tempo would give the album more energy. But in general it's an impressive self-release by the singer of Melodram, and I will give it three skulls in the hopes that the years and additional members have polished this set list up a bit. Melodram's website states that they are working on a full-length album, which is probably why they finally released this, and I would be interested in hearing that for comparison. I think this band has promise.
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