Altsounds - Dorp - Human Being [Album]

When choosing a band name, most people choose something of a personal approach, or something with a hidden meaning. I think the four piece from Cape Town missed the point. As Dorp doesn't seem to mean anything, can you prove me wrong lads? It kind of sounds like something Robin Williams would say in Mork And Mindy. The band name was a bad start but the music to follow was intriguing to say the least.

In a way the band are right in saying "It’s rare that a band can truly be described as unique and genre- bending, and yet Dorp truly defy categorization and transcends today’s music". Dorp are certainly hard to put into a category but they in no way tick all those boxes. The band seem to plod along with basic drum beats and a verse chorus, verse chorus automation. If that band didn’t sound so different in one or two tracks I don’t think there would be an appeal for their “sound”.

The first resemblance that springs to mind when tuning into first track “Cops And Robbers” are of Brian Molko. If Placebo were just starting out I assume they would sound like Dorp. Maybe this is a conspiracy in that Dorp – ‘Human Being’ is actually a Placebo demo. Just a thought. This conspiracy is shat on, by changing it up completely with “Extreme”. This time it’s Nine Inch Nails’ industrial metallic noise bass line. There is still something lacking vocally over the top though, it’s just a little weak. There are no real outstanding tracks, just little snippets of well produced cool vocal techniques and random riffs. To be honest the whole album drags abit and thirteen tracks is quite a monster to handle.

If not for the brilliant mixing skills from Chris Sheldon and some cheeky production techniques from Dave McCracken, there wouldn’t be much of a record here. Dorp just sound like a dull band with a lucky break. Lyrically they have a solid base, maybe Dorp should write pop songs for the next Rhianna?

Tracks:
1. Cops And Robbers
2. Pigs Do Fly
3. Extreme
4. NME
5. Plug Into The Machine
6. rollercoaster
7. London Out There
8. Boy/Girl
9. Stand Out
10. Simon Says
11. A List
12. Wait
13. I Got What You Need