The Death of Anna Karina
The Death of Anna Karina

I expected a lot from this album, partly because it comes from a decidedly interesting label (Heroine Rec.), partly because it was supervised by Giulio of One Dimensional Man. I was somewhat disappointed. Even though I realize it's a risky endeavor, I'd like to write about the music and the vocals at different times.

The music is good punk/hc akin to certain things released by Burning Heart. Refused (the start of “You are my cannibal” is exciting) might be an apt comparison. There are vaguely dark echoes in the rare moments of quiet. Keyboards appear here and there, reminiscent of Bauhaus, arpeggios akin to Joy Division (which band today doesn't owe something to Ian Curtis's group?). The band plays tightly and robustly. The two guitars are heard just right. The gloomy and sulfurous atmosphere is brilliantly maintained with effective instrumental breaks and a rhythm section that is never too precious, even when the tempo slows. So far, it's good work.

The choice of vocals left me quite puzzled. It's a hoarse and raucous voice that often indulges in brutal-core squeals, sometimes reminding me of the Hives, other times of Downset, more often a death metal singer… Overall, to me, it seems decidedly inadequate and out of place with the musical structure I've described.

You can get used to it, but I expected something different. If it's a crossover experiment, it doesn't completely work. It's a pity because the band instrumentally demonstrates great capability in various episodes.