My guess is that a lot of people who read this site probably aren't gonna be into Mikoto's self-titled EP, and I admit its contents came as somewhat of a surprise considering what I'm accustomed to hearing from Level-Plane, but hopefully there are enough people out there like me who just listen to whatever the fuck they want without concern for what's "cool" (and therefore "acceptable").
At face value, Mikoto comes across as somewhat of a typical contemporary emo/screamo band, what with their blend of singing and screaming, chugging guitar parts and moderate discordance with a strong sense of melody, plenty of post-hardcore textures, etc. But what can I say? I like it. Memorable songwriting does the trick for me, and there's enough diversity happening with this one to throw you for a couple of loops and keep you wondering where they'll take it in the future. If these guys play their cards right (or get lucky, whatever it is that works these days) I would honestly expect to see 'em get kind of "big", although, the general lyrical approach and song explanations are still tied pretty tightly to the tenets of the hardcore/punk scene, so... maybe they'll decide not to go that route? I don't know, but this is a promising debut!
You can also grab this one for a mere $6 at 29 North Records, a distro that I believe is run by the folks at Level-Plane, so if you enjoy it and you're not afraid to get sensitive from time to time, you know the drill:
Comments
just listened to title cut at their website and you
left out eddie money influence -see: two tickets to paradise. I will check out the album sometime soon.
charlie
12.19.2005 | By Anonymous
Taken were rad.
That is all.
12.19.2005 | By Anonymous
DARKNESS!! YES!! Seriously…I was thinking I was the only person totally enamored with the new record. As I recently told a friend…sure, it sounds like Cheap Trick covering Queen with a strangled cat for a singer. But…uh…isn’t that the point?
Lady Dinner Arms is a definite song of the year…
12.20.2005 | By Frank Realitos
Hell yeah I picked up the Salute to Danzig cd at the Coliseum show(super nice guys by the way.) My favorite is the cover of Possession that Doomriders play. Those vocals on it just rule all. Also they were one of the best bands i’ve seen live, so rocked out it hurt.
12.20.2005 | By zach
Doomriders are amazing and Coliseum are pretty great as well. If you like Coliseum you should definately check out their louisville mates Lords. They’re incredible live.
12.20.2005 | By logan
Frank, damn near every song on the record is a single. For my money “Bald” is the fuckin’ greatest, followed extremely closely by “Is It Just Me?” - which should be their ace in the hole for a video hit. If they don’t release that song they deserve to fail, the chorus is fucking gold. The intro to “Dinner Lady Arms” sounds very Def Leppard, ala “Love Bites” or something, and you can’t lose with that ha, ha…
12.21.2005 | By Andrew Aversionline
I’m thinking The Police when I hear the intro to “Dinner Lady Arms”, but I still think it’s a pretty good song. These guys now how to play the guitar. Haven’t heard solos like these since GN’R were around.
12.21.2005 | By Anonymous