2NoHo - Satanic Versus the Volcano.
MARCH 1 2011
Album Review
Release Date: March 9, 2011
A- (90/100)
Embracing a DIY ethos, digital funk-pop duo 2NoHo have put forth a stunning homebrew of astonishingly smart—and sexy—grooves.
Music: 19/20
Ryan Branstner wrote and recorded Satanic Versus the Volcano himself. The songs are mostly comprised of funky guitar and bass parts, filled in with piles of '80s synthesizers—ambient fuzz, swirling pads, Casio blips and beats; vestiges of an 8-bit age. Sonically, it's all over the chart, but the album seems ingrained with that rare auteur's cohesion that makes the thing feel whole—and at a whopping 13 tracks, that's no small task. Lyrics: 18/20
Branstner performs his songs—simple lyrics about seemingly nothing but maybe everything—in a Stephen Merritt baritone. And then in a smooth R&B-infused tenor that sounds like Ben Harper and that dude Eagle-Eye Cherry and the guy from the Eels and maybe kind of Jamiroquai. In the case of "Sum Of Indifference," the lyrics are downright Princely—in writing and delivery: "Like a slow, wet, kiss from an Angel / Find yourself at the bottom of a glass again." Production: 15/20
This record isn't quite radio-ready, but overall it's really a terrific home recording. For the second 2NoHo release in a row, Anna Marie Engstrom pulls backup vocal duty, and her parts really help to balance out the record. Still—next time—I'd like to hear the songs mixed and mastered with a bit more panache; perhaps with Engstrom given a more prominent vocal role; perhaps a shorter, denser record; perhaps one with more-developed themes, if significantly fewer songs. At any rate, I'm genuinely eager to see what Branstner & co. create next. Technical Proficiency: 20/20
Satanic Versus the Volcano is a technically proficient record. Overall: 18/20
It might lack polish in some spots, and waver some in others, and, yes, it suffers a bit from long song-itis—and what the hell is a 2NoHo?—but generally, the album overcomes these relatively small things by being an altogether interesting and unique local release—perfect background music for studying, driving around, cooling out, or doin' it.
Ryan Branstner wrote and recorded Satanic Versus the Volcano himself. The songs are mostly comprised of funky guitar and bass parts, filled in with piles of '80s synthesizers—ambient fuzz, swirling pads, Casio blips and beats; vestiges of an 8-bit age. Sonically, it's all over the chart, but the album seems ingrained with that rare auteur's cohesion that makes the thing feel whole—and at a whopping 13 tracks, that's no small task. Lyrics: 18/20
Branstner performs his songs—simple lyrics about seemingly nothing but maybe everything—in a Stephen Merritt baritone. And then in a smooth R&B-infused tenor that sounds like Ben Harper and that dude Eagle-Eye Cherry and the guy from the Eels and maybe kind of Jamiroquai. In the case of "Sum Of Indifference," the lyrics are downright Princely—in writing and delivery: "Like a slow, wet, kiss from an Angel / Find yourself at the bottom of a glass again." Production: 15/20
This record isn't quite radio-ready, but overall it's really a terrific home recording. For the second 2NoHo release in a row, Anna Marie Engstrom pulls backup vocal duty, and her parts really help to balance out the record. Still—next time—I'd like to hear the songs mixed and mastered with a bit more panache; perhaps with Engstrom given a more prominent vocal role; perhaps a shorter, denser record; perhaps one with more-developed themes, if significantly fewer songs. At any rate, I'm genuinely eager to see what Branstner & co. create next. Technical Proficiency: 20/20
Satanic Versus the Volcano is a technically proficient record. Overall: 18/20
It might lack polish in some spots, and waver some in others, and, yes, it suffers a bit from long song-itis—and what the hell is a 2NoHo?—but generally, the album overcomes these relatively small things by being an altogether interesting and unique local release—perfect background music for studying, driving around, cooling out, or doin' it.
2NoHo release Satanic Versus next Wednesday, March 9 at Cause in Lyn-Lake.
Their music is available at 2NoHo.com.
Their music is available at 2NoHo.com.