Album Review: Radioboxer's Radio Drama - Review by Christopher Lopez

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

By Ric

radio-drama-front-for-web

Review by Christopher Lopez

Band: Radioboxer (www.myspace.com/radioboxerband)
Genre: Alternative/Punk/60’s Garage/Ska/Surf
Album: Radio Drama
Sounds Like: A very talented patient at the psych ward with multiple personality disorder.

Radioboxer’s debut album Radio Drama is just that—an emotional saga that plays out over the course of its 12 tracks. At times the portraits it paints is an angry and violent one. Other times it’s hushed and melodic, a lover’s whisper from across the pillow or through tears at the breakfast table as you grab for your suitcase to storm out the door.

Rarely does a young band on their first album show such promise, and such restraint. It’s surprising how tightly coiled and deftly crafted each track is considering the 6-piece band’s diverse and far-flung influences. More surprising still is the way they move from one style to another, flirting with whichever genre feels most natural to them at the moment, while still managing to not only maintain coherence, but displaying masterful fluidity. Each track belongs precisely where it’s placed and listening to the record, you almost can’t imagine any one song existing without the one before it or the one after.

Radio Drama opens unexpectedly with an instrumental intro titled “Run Away From Home & Join The Traveling Band.” It’s not just a clever name; keyboardist Gian weaves the slinky sounds of a clarinet around a very Gepetto-esque accordion line, conjuring the image of a gypsy band traveling the European countryside. As the melody fades drums rattle and cymbals crash. Welcome to track two. “G.M.V.” is a straightforward punk rocker, loud and unapologetic. Drummer Tequila keeps up the frenzied pace and Santos and Esteban’s thrashing guitars join the mayhem along with J’s rumbling bassline. Singer Vanne finally rounds out the assault, her often-angelic vocals disguised in rage and distortion. When the dust settles you find yourself surrounded by a gentle guitar carefully picking out chorus-laden tune while Vanne delivers the melancholic opening lines of “Radio Broke My Heart”. But chaos quickly banishes the pleasant sigh as the opening scream “I gave you every-thing I had” dispels any expectations for a mournful track. The smoldering verse transitions into a funky ska that is at once reminiscent of early No Doubt at the very best of times.

The album continues throughout in the same vein, clever and unexpected variety in styles coaxed to meld together in harmonious union, rather than forced to coexist on one track or one record. “Bolero” delivers on its promise. “The Killer” opens with an almost cinematic vocal laid over ominous synth strings before breaking into a tug of war between punk driven choruses and a flamenco-surf hybrid that moves the verses along. “Reckless Behavior” is a tender acoustic ballad boasting earnest lyrics and a beautiful hook.

“Don’t Shoot At Me” is another engaging song where the band plays with the concept of a lost relationship with singular irony, as is evident in the affectionately sung lyric, “I would like to keep you locked in my basement, never let you out.” It begins as a ballad, but bares its teeth midway through as Radioboxer offsets the rock influence with a perfectly placed crescendo. Two more swaying Spanish language tracks close out the disc with “Lejos Del Cielo” and “Emely,” both of which call to mind earlier Aterciopelados, Gozo Poderoso in particular.

So just pick up the fucking disc. You’re gonna love it. Besides, you don’t want them to show you why they’re called Radioboxer.

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Tags: Radioboxer

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 at 12:49 pm and is filed under Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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