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Having one of your key contributors stuck in England due to VISA restrictions isn’t ideal for any band, but in the case of Colourmusic, it seems that this unfortunate tragedy led to an entirely different beast. While their first effort circled around pop hooks with epic jams, this new piece is a fierce animal, forging new ground for the band, making My ____ is Pink their best collection of songs to date.
If there was any question as to what type of album this would be now that the band are primarily a three-piece, “Beard” sets the record straight just a few seconds into the track. Scuzzy bass blasts straight into your ears, while singer Ryan Hendrix hauntingly wails in the background. It’s an about face for a band that once dominated the music scene with their theatrics, and clever hooks. My ___ is Pink is in your face all the time.
Despite it’s grittier feel from the get go, don’t think that Colourmusic have released their grasp on playing with pop structuralism. “Feels Good to Wear” has the group toying with space, letting atmospheric elements ring out, while the bass bubbles in from time to time, and drummer Nicholas Ley keeps everything tight and steady. Similarly, “Dolphins and Unicorns” uses the band’s playfulness, in both title and craftsmanship, to get a bit funky, twisting out what one can assume is a little pedal work from Hendrix on guitar, and Ley again working the percussion like very few can. Clearly, the band aren’t messing around anymore, as even they’re pop experimentalism is focused.
The meat and potatoes for My ___ is Pink comes perhaps a bit too early, but demonstrates above anything else, that Colourmusic clearly came ready to make a name for themselves. “You For Leaving Me” uses gang vocals and a hint of organ to create this grand emotion, just as Colin F. brings back in that devilish bass line, kicking the song off into some Satanic re-incarnation of the Polyphonic Spree; but it’s not a chorale track, it’s a kick right to your sweet tooth. From here you jump right into “Tog,” the lead single from the record. You’ll hear hints of the previous album in Hendrix vocal softly floating atop this track, but Ley’s drumming, as well as the rest of the musicianship give the song a solid backbone. Perhaps one of the greatest elements of this song is the group’s ability to hold back, when easily you can see them letting loose on listeners in a great wall of fury.
You’ll love the epic “The Little Death,” which seemingly serves as a reference point for everything the band holds dear. There’s hints of industrial music in the opening few minutes, modern avant pop in the vocals, hints of noise-rock and metal, and a nod to knob twiddlers in the end. While it’s not the finale of My ____ is Pink, it very well serves as a reckoning to listeners, both present and future. Colourmusic is no longer that cute little band that wrote jam-laden pop tunes, they’re an angry band here to exploit anything and everything they’ve ever loved about music. They’re going to throw it in your face, and the great thing is, your going to see where they’re coming from, know who they are, and you’ll love it, every bit.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/06-Tog.mp3]
Download: Colourmusic – Tog [MP3]
As previously stated, I’ve been a huge fan of John Lamonica and the music he creates. From his days in post-emo outfit My Spacecoaster and then now to his solo work, Lamonica’s songwriting has always struck a chord with me. Knowing this about me, you’re sure to understand my excitement when Lamonica recently stopped into Austin and agreed to answer a few questions for ATH. You can find this short interview about this underrated musicians career after the jump. Hope you enjoy.
