Street Chant/Brand New Math- Scream Walk/Got Milky (split 7″)
7/10

The second limited release in Cheese On Toast’s ‘Singles Club’ vinyl collection is a new track each from Auckland bands Street Chant and Brand New Math. The A-side sees Street Chant busting out a piercing guitar sound with speedy punk riffs in the style of a two-minute garage-grunge song. Built solidly around a catchy guitar riff and lyrics that do exactly what the title suggests, ‘Scream Walk’ kicks hard at its subject matter; dudes who form bands just to try and get laid. Without trying too hard, it’s obvious who the band is talking about. The song wobbles through the first half before bending itself into a grungy instrumental jam, complete with feedback and heavy bass rhythms. It’s not the strongest song in Street Chant’s repertoire but it fits very nicely with Brand New Math’s ‘Got Milky’. Brand New Math is a rather strange band, whose music seems to change dramatically each time they release something new. Since their first hit single ‘Weapon Of Parnell’ they have never quite been able to produce a serious pop song, unfortunately falling victim to a slight gimmicky approach. ‘Got Milky’ has redirected the band in another new direction, this time split between the melodic jives of British pop (Kaiser Chiefs, Futureheads)  and the thick distorted guitars of grunge. It’s the band’s best single since ‘Weapon of Parnell’ and shows signs that all four members of the band are starting to agree in the song writing department. They time their pop elements in between small bursts of rough distorted guitar melodies, piecing together a strange jigsaw puzzle of sound and everything falls into place nicely. If it’s a direction they’re willing to pursue then it could lift Brand New Math’s song structure to a whole new level.
Nick

The 7″ can be purchased for $8 at a special release show at Auckland’s Bacco Room on Saturday, July 4, 2009.
 

Posted by Nick Fulton under Album, Reviews
[5] Comments