Cymbals Eat Guitars - Wind Phoenix [Single]

Memphis Industries

Having been formed a little over two years now, Cymbals Eat Guitars have had some critical acclaim internationally for their work. Having chosen to release this single from their highly praised debut album "Why There Are Mountains", they plan to return to the UK after their current US tour and present this song live (amongst others obviously).

Beginning with a distant and alien fade in sound, strange noises also appear which although intended for the background, overpower the leading guitar riff. This song has so many elements of different bands; it is hard to recognise anything unique. A painful ‘whoosh’ sound runs through the left channel the entire time and it soon starts to grate and it sadly became the most unfortunate focus for my ears. It was truly terrible and ruined any potential the song had. If you are going to have this useless effect, at least turn it down to create an atmosphere rather than leaving your listener reaching for the volume to save their hearing. This horrible noise is similar to a high pitched whale or other non-influential sea life creatures, who, in hindsight, would probably release better records!

Putting a cover of Elliot Smith’s ‘Ballad of Big Nothing’ is average at best, although they have toned down the cheap effects (just). I have never heard two songs with less likeability after just one listen. The poorest choice in effect accompaniment has left me baffled as to what I was supposed to gain from wasting six minutes of my life. Surely Cymbals Eat Guitars cannot be happy with this release? After hearing these two mistakes of music, I would never check this band out again.

What becomes more frustrating is that in searching YouTube, I find an extended version of 'Wind Phoenix' which is actually better and more appealing. However, I was unlucky enough to be reviewing the single and it’s a definite no-go from me. Sorry guys.