Remember the days when you could turn on the radio and listen for new sounds, the latest techniques, and originality was the standard? Lately the air waves are a wash of target audience pop-genre shticks that are missing realness, pnash and style. It is clear now that what the music culture desperately needs is Another State of Mind. The Punch Drunk Poets provide eloquent yet edgy relief from the monotony of the current music scene, with droll lyrics, multiple style infusions and a sense of adventure that keeps pushing the envelope of the creative horizon.
The fusion that these drunken poets are capable of is unreal. One moment its core alternative, the next its blends some electronica, all with folk sensibility yet propulsive rock beats, wrap it up with a bow of eclectic individual styles within the band and a magnificent amalgamation is rend from the future, brought to present with classical style chaotically mutating. Oddly enough, the spectrum of music is reminiscent, believe this or not, of the J-rock music scene in Japan. This ability to seamlessly switch between genres is something international audiences really get into, going some way to explain Weezer’s popularity, and translatability despite language barriers. Punch Drunk Poets has all the skill and power of world touring stadium rockers. Comparable J-Rock might be Orange Range, as they emulate so many styles, yet still manage to remain true to themselves. The Poet’s ability to change modes, build to beautiful harmonies, and then mix it up into abstract forms, but still return holding the melody, makes there tunes complex yet easy to sing-a-long with. The alterna-rap that lead vocalist Aki manages to twist through, notably on Waiting For, is precise despite the technical difficulty, and especially reminiscent of universal class acts. It is this sort of genre blending capability that is sure to see the Punch Drunk Poets through many different regions of cultural disparity. Licks of guitar range from the brink of grunge-metal to Spanish guitar, with all between meshing it together. The bass wails out where it should, provides smooth sound, but also quick slaps and funk accents. Building up under the barrage of strings is subtle keys, other times phrases are long crescendo into trippy abstract sparkles of synth that perfectly accent the band. All nailed together with clobbering rock drums, a clever style that is even sometimes surprising, though never abrasive, always driving the party onward.
Most inspired is the expressive technical style of the Punch Drunk Poets. On time, able to stop on a dime, often little side-solos or chanted words are inserted within the harmonies, giving an exalted feel to the context, musically and lyrically. The instrumentals are unique, often diving into unfamiliar ground, but always returning to the main theme. Refreshingly strange, yet cool enough that it never goes to far into experimental, for a musical anarchy that still hold respect for tradition, and taking the fans for a good ride. Last Words builds especially well, with a catchy chorus that deconstructs the great dynamics of early 90s grunge, building with dexterous electro precision of the 00s. When the lead guitar, synth and filter on the vocals all hit at once through the last chorus, the energy feels somewhere between metal mosh and trance flow paradise. The effect is completed with a story about a murder presented in such an everyday scenario that one is easily supplanted into the interrogation room. Profoundly building to the chorus: “I’d like to trade it all for just ten minutes with my doll. We fought the last time we spoke. And though I’d rather say goodbye, please just tell her when I died, I was sorry for all I broke.”
At the core of all this incredible music is the Poets’ heart, admonishing words to the wise from experience. Another State of Mind is a way of musical survival, as much as reaching out into dreams to try and make them a sustainable reality. One can dream too much as easily as too little, and Punch Drunk Poets are testing the limits, refining the wild raw imagination, translating it into genre blending acumen sure to please many different types of audiences, with a little bit of something for everyone in the crowd. One is left with a lucid psychedelic introspection that transcends current rock trends with ease. An unbelievable first record, the sophomore release should be highly anticipated.
Reviewed By Julian Gorman
