Search - Melt-Banana :: Speak Squeak Creak

Possibly Melt-Banana's best release

David Bockelman | 05/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can never decide which Melt-Banana album is my favorite, but I always come back to Speak, Squeak, Creak. Teeny Shiny is genius on a slightly different level, and Cellscape has many great moments, but this album is more of an all-out assault, yet still maintaining that bizarrely catchy quality that Melt-Banana is so adept at maintaining in such harsh, abrasive music. The fifteen second songs and percussive vocals may prove impenetrable to a first time listener, who might be better off with the more accessible selections found on Teeny Shiny and Cellscape, but if this music doesn't get you going, Melt-Banana may not be for you.



It's ridiculously hard to predict who will enjoy Melt-Banana. Anyone with an interest in grindcore, powerviolence, etc, should recognize their genius immediately, but it seems that punk fans of all shapes and sizes as well as those who just like original music are strangely drawn to it. I tend to stay away from the subgenres of punk that have harsher vocals, but Melt-Banana is completely different from anything else out there. I say give them a try, because it may very well be a life-changing experience. I first heard Melt-Banana several months ago, and since then, I've barely listened to anything else, and I drove 400+ miles to see them live, which was an amazing experience which I can't recommend enough (the show, not the driving).



As far as the actual music, it's just amazing. Few other words can actually capture it. It changes directions constantly, coaxes bizarre noises out of the guitar, and has vocals which act as a percussion instrument more than the carrier of a message (the actual lyrics being a nonsensical jumble of english words and bizarre onamatopoeia). Everyone should be exposed to it at least once, although it may prove too much for some.



If you're already a fan, make an extra effort to find this album, as it's worth it. If you're not a fan, get this or Teeny Shiny first, and if you like that, you'll probably end up owning all of their albums anyway."

Melt Banana goes above & beyond my expectations

Midas Wilder | Miami, Florida United States | 02/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This wonderful group should be the blue-print for bands of the future. There are many, many exciting elements alive here...a constant, streaming jolt of textures, ironies & chaos. Visionary musician craftsmanship of the highest order. This is not, as some critics say, just another japanese noise outfit. I'm totally surprised that this band isn't more popular in the U.S. The lead singer of Melt Banana is loud, powerful, sexy & consistently swift enough to pull off even the most unpredictable transitioning & scheme changes. They are bloody terrific! - be sure to check out some of the videos of their live shows floating around the web."