Search - Melt-Banana :: Bambis Dilemma

A wiser, gentler MB?

Mr. Richard K. Weems | Fair Lawn, NJ USA | 05/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This disc is a little deceptive at times, from the almost Puffy Amiyumi poppiness of "Spider Snipe" and then an almost ambient "Type: Ecco System," but doubtably Melt-Banana this disc certainly ISN'T. Granted, it's a little weird to hear Yusuko overbdubbing herself, when it seems that the main strength of of Melt-Banana is their almost pure sound in the studio that is very much emulated in live shows, which is always amazing considering the speed and power of this crew, but it is not only Yusuko's voice that almost immediately identifies the MB, but the guitar frenetics of Agata, and the machine-gun bass of Rikka.



Don't let the scattered moments of much slower Melt-Banana let you think that they're getting a little old and toning it down. The MB still maintain a music that has its roots in cartoons and video games and a hyperactivity that leaves the glue-sniffing punk of the Ramones gabba-gabba-heying in their dust. "Plasma Gate Quest" is as much a power track as they have ever done. While nothing on this disc may meet the speed of "Warp, Back Spin" or "Spathic!", "Chain Keeper" also comes to their previous kind of land speed records.



I never thought that speed alone was the defining element of their songs, and _Bambi's Dilemma_ very much offers me proof of that concept. Melt-Banana is a band working on another plane of existence, defining their music by their own sets of rules. These rules may be a little familiar, and it is clear from meeting them that they are very much of this world (and wonderful people to boot), but their end products follow a whole new constitution. Cleaerly, this is a wiser and more experienced band--Agata has had a chance to experiment with guitar on record on his Tzadik release, and the MB is much more than a fresh-on-the-scene gang of newbies now. Maybe this album doesn't have the kind of pure insanity of _Scratch or Stitch_, which just simply blew me up against the wall and made me plenty of enemies when I insisted on spinning that disc at polite parties (well, what would YOU do if you had just come across a discovery as monumental as God's own blueprints?), but I don't expect them to just keep slapping me in the face with speed, and they satisfy that somewhat on this new release.



Anyone who tries to say that the MB have lamed out hasn't listened to this disc very carefully. Aside from the pure early MBness of "Plasma Gate Quest," there is also the classic string of sonic bursts found later here, mixed along with their electronic experimentation. This is maybe not the best disc Melt-Banana has put out, but it's a strong one, and it is clear evidence that they have staying power through their ability to explore their own sound further.

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A great follow-up to Cellscape

Anthony Thompson | Big Lake, MN United States | 06/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This year I have been disappointed by the new releases of my favorite bands (Arcade Fire and Blonde Redhead). Not so with Melt Banana. They have offered up something with melody, noise, punk and pure chaos. In the best Melt Banana tradition! I had wondered if they could equal Cellscape. They have equaled or perhaps bettered it. There is not a weak track on this album."

Still like drinking out of a musical firehose

Chad | 04/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bambi's Dilemma is the progression from Cell-Scape that I was expecting. The album is still chock full of your expected smattering of random sound effects, frenzied drumming, and thrashing guitars... it's different, but there's no mistaking this for anything other than a Melt-Banana album. I recommend it-- I've enjoyed it just like I have any other MxBx release."