This is another high energy release from Nottingham math punk three-piece We Are Carnivores. Their mish mash of staccato riffing, urgent time changes and catchy hooks once again proves to be a charming listen.
Title track ‘Theodor’s A Don, Bro’ opens with an incisive blast at the music industry; the angular stop start riffing and pumping bass groove creates a chaotically enjoyable melee over the mechanical rhythms making for a cool opener. ‘Scottish Power’ follows in similarly clunky fashion but offers up a few twists and turns with a more aggressive vocal and an atmospheric downturn. Even so, there are plenty of switch-ups and with a simulated conversation thrown in, it’s a fair barrage of the senses.
The opening section to ‘We Can’t Argue With Sharks’ shows a more measured approach, and when they leave the histrionic guitar attack to one side they really explore their talent for a melody. Nevertheless there’s plenty of riff action as the track progresses, though like each track there is a lovely little splash of something cool.
‘I’m not an Alcoholic, I just Collect Bottles’ is a little more disjointed by comparison, its hectic sections a little more aggressive and its melodic sections a little less bright. Even so, it adds to the EP as it shows different aspects to their creative side, offering up a touch of rap, some a cappella vocals and a lo-fi mid-section.
On the whole, this is a well-executed bright little record with some enjoyable tunes, it will be interesting to see how they transition to a longer format though.
3.5/5
‘Theodor’s a Don, Bro’ EP by We Are Carnivores is out now on Karisma Records.
We Are Carnivores links:Bandcamp|Facebook|Twitter
Words by Edward Layland (@EdwardLayland)
