The frequency with which something is produced and in turn consumed impacts greatly on the product in question. Quality can drop when product starts to get ‘churned out’. Despite their six-year life span as a band, ScotDrakula are definitely not churning out albums. This self-titled release is their first full-length, although they’ve been spruiking samples of their wares with two previous EPs and a 7” under their belt.
Lead single and opener O’ Clock exhibits a sort of naivety to it, but is offset by guitarist/frontman Matt Neumann’s unhinged yet tuneful yelp. Kill What You Love feels a little Hunx and His Punx, the doo-wop refrain, “There’s nothing to it, just go and do it,” sounds like encouragement for everyone to learn a hip new dance move but we assume it’s a gentle nudge to ‘kill what you love’.
Those in search of a summer anthem may just have found it in Shazon. The lyrics, “I’m getting high in the backseat,” are meant to be shouted on the dance floor at 3am. Pig Eyes oozes cool, its extended intro setting the scene effectively. The bass drives this song but sits back to let the vocal overlays and extensive riff work dominate. Very few lyrics make the ones present even more powerful; “Look at this one, it wants me dead,” feels icy cold just like it should. ScotDrakula build it up, break it down and pull the pin when you least expect it on this killer track. Starter Humanism is feel good pop, brimming with classic chord changes, while follower Idlewild burns with a desperate energy.
It’s illusively simple garage that’s occasionally epic, with ‘50s chord progressions disguised under distortion and snarl, but repackaged into something far less predictable. ScotDrakula have nailed it on their debut album.
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BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
Best Track: Pig Eyes
If You Like These, You’ll Love This: BLACK LIPS, HUNX & HIS PUNX, KING KHAN & THE SHRINES
In A Word: Appealing
