HOSER - NOSEBLEEDER

So this EP crossed my path recently and I ended up getting a CD copy as well as purchasing a digital download from the group on Bandcamp.  This is a 3 song EP by Pennsylvania rockers, Hoser.  Initially, I thought it would be typical garage rock.  The kind you hear all over America played in a teenager's bedroom as they cut their musical teeth and start to hone their songwriting skills.  

But I was wrong!  Dead wrong!

The opening track 'NoseBleeder' starts off with a haunting riff that is both promising and somewhat deceptive.  I got excited because I was hoping they'd fall sound wise in the White Zombie spooky rock category, but that intro quickly turns into some speed metal thrashing before settling into the main song.  Hoser's singer, Will, delivers a varied and frantic vocal that fits the track perfectly.  I can still hear that hint of Rob Zombie, but I'm also hearing some complex changes similar to the sort Billy Corgan would drop inexplicably into a Smashing Pumpkins track here and there.  My only complaint is the song ends too quickly.  There's definitely room for another verse or two.

'Perico' is the next track and once again, the band delivers a tight rock experience with some excellent chord changes and a natural build in the progression throughout the track.  As good as 'Perico' is, my favorite cut on the record has to be 'Kensington And Somerset'.  There's a pop sensibility that really shines through on this track and under the right circumstances, it could easily be the type of crossover single that could open new revenue streams.  To put it in a more simple way...  If Hoser were Maynard James Keenan, 'NoseBleeder' and 'Perico' would be Tool and 'Kensington And Somerset' would be A Perfect Circle.  More commercial and more accessible.

I gotta be honest here, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this band as much as I have so far.  I trolled their Bandcamp page and found out they'd also released a limited edition cassette that's already sold out.  That was slightly upsetting.  I would've purchased one.  But, that's cool.  This group, for all their musicianship and talent, haven't crossed over to mainstream commercial production yet.  In many ways, that's to their advantage.  It gives them a more raw sound that fits the type of music they're producing.  My copy of the CD featured a lot of hand drawn credits and song details.  There's a great deal of attention paid to the artwork.  I'm completely excited about that and thrilled to have discovered them so early on.  I've definitely got a collector's item on my hands.

With a proper studio, engineers and producers helping them during the recording process, I suspect Hoser will blow up quickly.  But just remember, you heard them here first!

On a side note, as I've listened to the disc and the tunes, I think the first full length album by Hoser should be called, "The Fat Kid's A Bleeder".  I used to kick that around as a possible band name, but I think it would totally fit this group.  Especially with a strong track like 'NoseBleeder' on the record.

If you're interested in hearing some new innovative rock music by an up and coming group, make sure you visit Hoser at bandcamp.com.  You can follow this link to get there:

https://hosertheband.bandcamp.com/

Pick up their EP and sign up to follow their progress.  Experience it all for yourself and I'm sure you'll enjoy what you hear!  My final words:  AN EXCITING NEW SOUND FROM AN EMERGING BLEND OF SPOOKY ROCK!

HOSER - NOSEBLEEDER
01. NoseBleeder
02. Perico
03. Kensington And Somerset

A PERFECT CIRCLE - MER DE NOMS

Although I knew Tool and listened to some of their stuff on the radio, I never really embraced them. They were musically more complex than I normally like in a rock band. They're a thinking man's rock. Whereas I prefer to go merrily along with sound and enjoy it in the moment. My first exposure to A Perfect Circle was on MTV. I saw the video to 'Judith' and I was really grooving to the beat. I loved the song. Shortly after I moved to North Carolina and the first gift Bryan gave me was this CD. I loved it. I had no idea A Perfect Circle shared the same frontman with Tool. From the song perspective alone, the band is far more accessible than Tool is. They've probably had more mainstream success because of it as well.

The first impression you have when you look at this disc is the beautiful artwork. This is exactly the reason why I love owning CDs vs. downloading. Sometimes, you get something truly exceptional in the packaging or the artwork is simply amazing. 'Mer De Noms' is an example of this. Then there's the meat and potatoes of the disc... The actual music.

To call this disc one of the greatest rock albums of all time wouldn't be an understatement. It's one of the strongest records I've ever heard. Right from the start, with 'The Hollow' the band sets a precedence. With a strong, compelling rhythm, the song builds aggressively to a melodic breakdown that never really looses the tune's momentum and comes back like a right hook to the jaw. 'Magdalena' has an offbeat intensity that suits the lyrical content. There's a desire unsatisfied and an almost unresolved quality to the song progression that feeds this feeling. 'Rose' starts with a wilted sound. It's weak and almost boring, but further listening allows for the musical crescendo. Once the full force of the track kicks in, it's a power packed punch, blossoming into a red swell.

'Judith' is a stand alone track. It's uncompromising beat carries you along with all the rage of the vocal delivery. Philosophically, this song is quite aggressive. Musically, it's phenomenal. I absolutely love this song! There's no way around it. 'Orestes' is another song that builds to an amazing climax. It begins with a peaceful slow pace and evolves into a fuller sound like flashing police lights. "Cut away, clear away, sever this umbilical residue". Absolutely incredible lyrics. '3 Libras' is another amazing song. It makes me think of Bryan so much. I feel like this song describes how we were at the end. He couldn't see me. I became invisible to him. It's another of my all time favorite songs on the disc.

Both 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Thomas' are excellent songs with interesting builds; but 'Renholder' is the unfettered masterpiece of this half of the album. More organic and feeling like something you'd hear on a movie score rather than a rock album, this gypsy campfire song is mysterious, spooky and completely in place with the feel of the record thus far. 'Thinking Of You' plays along the same lines with a spooky motif played under the first verse. The rhythm section begins to sound less organic and more computerized, but the bridge and chorus promise salvation. Maynard's vocals bring the only relief to the song's urgency with the words, "Sweet revelation, Sweet surrendering".

'Brena' is a melodic ballad with beautiful lyrics and a natural feel to the song progression. It is followed by the slight and still 'Over'. Maynard sings softly over a piano and xylophone sound. Very peaceful and the perfect denouement. I'd call it a French art film if I had to relate it to something in real life.

These songs all seem to be extremely intimate portraits of people known by Maynard or other band members. There's a confiding quality to the disc. A whispered confidence shared between conspiring friends. Ultimately, it's one of those discs everyone should own. No collection is complete with 'Mer De Noms'... Especially yours. My final words: A PERFECT CREATION.

A PERFECT CIRCLE - MER DE NOMS
01. The Hollow
02. Magdalena
03. Rose
04. Judith
05. Orestes
06. 3 Libras
07. Sleeping Beauty
08. Thomas
09. Renholder
10. Thinking Of You
11. Brena
12. Over