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Review: NIFE – Chemicals [Album]

Top Cat Music // "A psychedelic minefield of guitar distortion, effects and all-round hallucinogenic chaos..."

by Candi H, June 8th, 2012 and has been Read 8686 times.
Last Edited by: Glen June 11th, 2012.

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NIFE are a trio originally from Bath, Somerset in the S.West of the UK. Fronted by Nicole Fermie [NiFe] on vocals/guitar and completed by Scott Barter on bass and Howey Gill on drums, they formed in 2009 as, amazingly, a last minute stand-in at a festival.

The three-piece are inspired by experimental and psychedelic rock from the 60’s a la Can, of Germany, some busker called Jimi Hendrix, whom you may, or may not, have heard of... As well as modern artists such as the British Mercury Award-winner, PJ Harvey and art-rock exports, Suuns, from Montreal. All of which seem to have played a part in helping shape NIFE’s debut album Chemicals. Describing themselves as “bursting with visceral energy and musicality”, Chemicals proferred to be a record refusing to be ignored.

NIFE: From L to R - Gill, Fermie, and Barter.

Title-track and opener ‘Chemicals’ is a great way to kick things off. It’s a four and a half minute indie-rock trip with brilliant production from Tim Oliver [Sinead O’Connor, Goldfrapp]. Fermie’s clean and articulate vocals reverberate on top of slick basslines and a casual cool drum rhythm, creating a sound that’s so broad and energetic for a threesome. It has moments of a modern psychedelia influence, such as what emanated from Incubus at one point in their career, but a genuine love for 70’s rock is undeniable.

‘Information Overload’ is a little darker in mood with some dazzling electric guitar soloing. “Information overload, tell me what I wanna know, tell me what I wanna know!” the Fermie eagerly pleads in the sultry, smooth choruses. Her Hendrix-tinged guitar licks and Gill’s steady, strong beats are flawless on ‘Dregs’. It’s a wonderfully expressive track that oozes with a 70’s prog-rock feel. It’s also a perfect song to show off the extensive vocal range of their charismatic frontwoman.

WATCH// 'Dregs' Live

It was clear even at this early point that NIFE are a band on a mission, and they definitely have the passion and musical skill to accomplish it. In ‘Silence’ NIFE showcase their biggest riffs yet with a gloriously vigorous rhythm section. Barter's relentless, looping bassline lingers wildly around the ethereal vocals which soar at every opportunity. It has a classic-rock energy combined with a funky groove-laden 60’s jam. While the more experimental side to the group shines through on ‘Slow Motion Accidents’. It’s a quirky piece that reaches just over the eight-minute-mark, making it the longest here, yet doesn't overstay its welcome. It opens with a slightly menacing throb of bass and percussion and gradually builds tension and volume throughout before the band rein it back in with hushed drum-roll beats and staccato guitar chords, ready to pounce once again. At halfway, it falls into a psychedelic minefield of guitar distortion, effects and all-round hallucinogenic chaos.

‘Happy Birthday’ serves a great contrast to its jaunty title. It has a more Garbage-esque alt/grunge tone with a prolonged melancholic melody. Meanwhile, “I’m hanging with the freaks, they’re hanging with me. They don’t really know that I am bad company” Nicole coolly recites in ‘Freaks’ before unleashing that otherworldly range; enveloped by a now familiar echo effect. Its alternative-rock swagger develops minute by minute until it culminates in a swirl of electric guitar, possessed drum thrashing and a consistently agile bassline.

‘Pretty Girls’ is the jazz/funk club track of the album dripping with a style and sexiness that’s so alluring, right from the opening mysterious guitar melody. The vocals flit between serene and subtle to mean and moody with ease. And the instrumentation seems effortless as the wonderfully bluesy notes weave in and out of emphasized cymbal crashes.

LISTEN// 'Pretty Girls'

http://soundcloud.com/nife-1/pretty-girls

Closing number, ‘If I Was Good’. It’s a Karen O [Yeah Yeah Yeahs] styled lesson in the art of art-rock seduction, with a White Stripes blues structure that’s slow and enticing underneath absolutely stunning vocals from Miss Fermie. A grizzly guitar solo lurks in the shadows while Howey picks up the pace and energy spurring the song on into a frenetic peak. There’s a dip about a minute before the end where the vocals climb back steadily into the driving seat culminating in a hugely impressive vocal climax to finish.

If you haven’t guessed already, NIFE have something a little bit special to offer and Chemicals has proven that this trio are definitely a band to keep an eye on in the future. An utterly delectable debut of progressive and classic rock that expertly mixes psychedelia and blues into the bowl. And all the while making it sound so easy.

Chemicals is out June 18th 2012 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon(UK).

Worth Listening To...

• Chemicals
• Dregs
• Silence
• Pretty Girls