However, I'm digressing again. We'e here to check out the fourth album by Lyon, France based trio Herr Geisha & the Boobs. Since 2011, this act has been destroying everything they know about making music and pouring everything that influenced them into a huge blender, coming out with an intense piece of noise rock. Influences range from Tortoise, Melvins, Fugazi, Neurosis to Picasso and eating fish with onions. Needless to say that we're dealing with something noisy and in-your-face.
It's all here, soothing post-rock, hypnotic drones and fierce bursts of noise rock. When I close my eyes while listening to this album, I find myself back at The Extase or Cul De Sac during the Incubate festival. I know I often refer to that particular festival but it really is my only reference for this kind of music. It's the only event where I truly enjoy watching these bands live and I definitely will check out Herr Geisha & the Boobs if and when they play in Tilburg.
The songs on this album have no titles, instead, they're called 'Chapters', followed by a number. Of these, I think 'III' must be one of my favorites but that's because I really dig minimal drone music. 'I' and 'II' are highly energetic noise rock anthems, combining sludge metal with grunge with a lot of intensity. 'IIII' has a bit of a Sonic Youth meets Kreidler feel to it, be it dressed in a blues-gown. That being said, there's quite a lot of variation on this piece of work.
Or how about a little bit of jazz, once again mixed with minimal post-rock of course. In 'VI' you have both and that might be one of the reasons why this is my favorite tune on this already impressive album. If you're in for a bit of musical chaos and aggression, this just might be your cup of tea. So check it out if you dare and try to check them out life. I think those gigs will be quite impressive, to say the least...
Serge