Megaphone Ou La Mort
“Camarade Coma” by Megaphone Ou La Mort
Once in a while I am contacted by members of a band who have been reading my blog and it makes me feel happy that there are readers who appreciate the thing I am doing via great-anonymous-albums.com. I return the favour by reviewing their music.
Megaphone Ou La Mort is a five piece band from Spain. They call themselves “a multicultural rock band”. This is evident from the lyrics of the songs as they are both in English and French. Though I cannot understand the French lyrics the music and tunes speak for themselves. Another reason why I jumped to listen to their music was the use of twin lead guitars. Though not on the lines of the pioneers of the technique by progressive rock band Wishbone Ash, I am open to listen to any band that uses twin-lead guitars.
And although I have a criteria for including album reviews here I do think Megaphone Ou La Mort deserve a break for the music they make. I was blown by the freshness of their sound and music. I couldn’t help playing some of their songs in a loop on the first listen. Most of the songs are short and sweet with only one exceeding the five minute mark. As for their sound I would say they are a mix of U2′s harmonies and the freshness of The Arctic Monkeys but Megaphone Ou La Mort have an identity of their own.
Now for the detailed review of the songs.
1. La Poésie du Travail- A good opener showcasing the skills of vocalist John Martinez and the the instrumentalists, Fer Marti on bass, Sergio Sorace on drums (like the drummer of The Arctic Monkeys, he uses only one Tom, check the video link below) and Diego and Correcto on guitars.
2. Pina Pellicer – Not as impressive as the opener but a quicker small song doesn’t hurt.
3. Nuit Sans Nuances - Acoustic number reminding me sometimes of the chords of “Kiss Me” by the band Sixpence none the richer.
4. Cherie – Lovely song, sounds like U2′s “I will follow” but can I say, “Even Better than the U2 song”? Loved the bass, drums and guitars on this one.
5. Sunday Kid- My favourite from the album for its lovely guitar(s) solo. It starts sounding like “Love song” by 311 but then you know soon it is a Megaphone Ou La Mort original. Diego and Correcto shine here with a beautiful guitar piece. The guitar solo is so lovely I couldn’t help playing the song over and over again after the very first listening. Lead solo also did remind me of the harmony of the lead guitar on Toad and the Wet Rocket’s “All I want” and the heavier and stronger guitar lead in the song “My Coco” from Stella Star but Megaphone Ou La Mart’s solo is impressive in its own way. John’s singing was lovely too and so was the bass and drums support from Fer Marti and Sergio Sorrace. Loved the way John sang the line ”…please forgive this young man’s soul….”.
6. Party Doll – Liked the line “love me for my mind” in this song.
7. Dolce Vita - Lively song with a nice rhythm and I am reminded heavily of Eddy Grant’s guitars on his song “Boys in the street”.
8. ESQUISSE D´UN HOMME PRÉCAIRE- The longest song but it does get my approval for a good ballad even though it is not in English. I am reminded of the bass and rythm of A R Rahman’s song ”Ada” for the movie “Taj Mahal” but then again this is another Megaphone Ou La Mort original.
9. Le Garçon Rêvé – Another acoustic number with violin used along with the guitar.
10. Wasted – A mini guitar solo is laced in-between with more licks and techniques towards the end.
11. City Song- A touch of sadness, with the violin (or is it the guitar made to sound like the violin) and another notable song. I am reminded of Bono’s singing here but again John Martinez’s vocal is not a copy of the U2 front-man.
12. Lutter- An Ok number to conclude. The YouTube video of the song is here.
I certainly expected more music from the instrumentalists but let us wait and see what they have to offer in the next album that Megaphone Ou La Mart has planned in 2010.
You may download the full album using the link http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CKW85REO
or if you don’t have the time to download listen to the best of the album here at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Megaphone-ou-la-mort/55495315700?ref=ts
The recording of the album is good. One thing I noticed is a postman’s bicycle like bell like sound that you can hear. Wonder if it is part of the percussion but I clearly thought my postman was ringing his bell.
Megaphone Ou La Mort is certainly no U2 clone like the band Coldplay and certainly deserve a listen.
