Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

It is always difficult to look at a band in a positive light when they list Topman and Toni & Guy as their influences. Rather conveniently, only today however did I get a haircut in said salon and bought an overpriced badly made jacket from the store in question. But, embarrassingly timed contradictions aside, I still stand by my opinion about bands of this sort. The area that I live in is swamped with bands that strut around looking like Topman’s window display of mannequins that has magically come to life and has broken into a music instrument store. Every single one of these bands draw influence from punk, new wave and a general anger at the state of music.

Lundan Tahn’s Overreact are unfortunately no different. Sounding like a pissed off Kooks cover band with overly fuzzy, badly produced generic summer sounding guitars in the background, kind of like a pretentious Kids In Glasshouses; simply on the basis that KIGH don’t have the nerve to even attempt to describe their music as ‘punk’ as Overreact’s MySpace page claims. The track ‘Violent Eyes’ starts off fairly well but then descents into a constant lull as the vocals are spat out with venom and can be heard clipping the limiter on the recording – not common practice in this sort of music, and for a good reason. ‘She Said’ however, as a song, flows a lot better that ‘Violent Eyes’ and the fuzziness of the guitars actually adds something to the song, but although I’m sure that it would be a live favourite, it is just way too forgettable. The final track, an acoustic version of ‘Violent Eyes’ is incredibly surprising; in all of the wrong ways. The beautifully warm sounding atmosphere that is set by the acoustic guitar is trampled and destroyed by the atrocious vocals (imagine a 8ft bear shitting on a daisy on a gorgeous summer’s day and you’re on the right tracks). For some reason, the band seem to think that it’s okay to almost shout certain parts of the song over the top of the melodic, blissful chords. In fact, I have left this review at the bottom of my pile to make sure that I can spend time thinking of as many negative words to describe this atrocity as possible. So far my favourite few (in alphabetical order) are abominable, atrocious, deplorable, dire, ghastly, horrendous, repulsive and wretched.

Have I missed any belters?
Answers on the back of a postcard please to the usual address.

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

I thought you were kidding. Another of their influences is NME, I don't even have to listen to them to make a conclusion.

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

This band can suck my Toni & Guy styled balls!

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

It's funny how you can usually judge a band's music by their haircuts. Rather sad too.

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

i would agree heron but after then listening to the music i usually find that my initial opinion was right and ive just wasted 20 minutes of my life haha.

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

Umm, well, heres a test. Judge my music on my haircut Mike :booty:

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

No I meant sad as in it's a sorry state of affairs that music is so predicatable in terms of image.

Jack, you have a hat on.

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

The review of Overreact's debut EP only ultimately stands witness to a review which gives way to all the shallow indie scenesterism which it claims to despise.

Reading the article of a failed NME wannabe, a lame attempt at a witty put-down review which puts more store in the clothing the band wear, the low budget on which the EP was recorded and poor comparison with certain American groups, than ever properly considering the musical merits, lyrical sharpness or potential which the Violent Eyes EP reflects.

The reviewer begins with a massive stereotype of 'Indie' bands and I'd be the first to agree that there are hundreds of bands with Topman clothes and monotonous music. But surely music should be considered above everything else and doing otherwise only emphasises a massively superficial view of the music world. Overreact dress like most indie bands - who gives a crap?

The sound quality of the 'Violent Eyes' EP is undeniably low. The vocal sometimes gets lost amidst the buzzing guitar and the drums sound too clean. It's evident the EP was done on a low budget. But at the same time there are the sparks of promise. The drumbeat of 'Violent Eyes' is infectious, the dirty buzzing of guitar in 'She Said' works well and whilst the quicker dance beat of Confidence game suggests a band that will continue to grow progress and very themselves over the next few years.

Comparisons to the American emo scene and particularly the band 'Kids In Glass Houses' are frankly ridiculous. The band owes more to recent artists such as the Maccabees in their rougher vocal delivery than much from the emo scene across the Atlantic. Whilst its ultimately the heavier edge heard in songs such as 'Violent Eyes' that separates the band from the radio friendly comparisons made by the reviewer such as the Kooks. Lyrically the band's message of disenchantment could be seen as something seen too often, but the lyrical abstaction separates the band from any of the tired imagery of the emo scene.

Maybe this comment sounded more like a defence than a counter review. But then the actual article sounded more like cliche diatribe than a review so I don't feel too bad.

I'm sure anyone who has actually seen this band live would agree that they are worth looking out for in the future when their sound might not be as marred by recording issues.

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

ok... here we go then....


1, i hate NME.

2,i give a crap. it's my review.

3, but they're absoulutely bollocks now, which is what matters. i didn't write a review of music from the future that is yet to be written.

4, you're ridiculous.


the reviewer getting reviewed ladies and gentlemen. a welcome twist.

Re: Overreact - Violent Eyes [EP]
 

Fight Fight Fight Fight

Hahahaha