> genre: experimental, noise rock
> released on Birdmanaphone in 2005
> what a charming little ep. at a breathy six songs, this release is nicely rounded with frizzy guitars, exquisitely placed samples, and a diverse menu of vocal styles. "uber cougar" is a great example of the latter: it slips out a husky whisper in the beginning of the song, which begins to syncopate obtusely with disciplined whines. it sends you through a smashing together of stories before ending generously with a preconditioned campfire voice warning you of treacherous weather patterns... thunder and lightning... lightning and thunder...
their nostalgic yet artful harmonies shine through the chorus on "japoney apple" and "let's make it tonite," and fit quite seamlessly with their healthfully spontaneous samples of car horns and shattering glass alike while keeping a fleetingly itchy, incessant rhythm. on all the tracks we are treated to an interesting chorus of flitting, sometimes modulated voices, all seeming to have just finished running a mile and fueled only by their force of foolishness. even on more the more somber track "rainy day," PFFR accesses the fondly loved niche of angsty coming-and-going-of-age music--something to stare at passing street lights with.
on a jumpier note, "sounds like a mexican" is a great example of their use of distortion on the guitar and buzzing synths: it maintains an arab on radar-esque appearance while keeping its roots firmly planted in electronic sensibilities.
all in all, i definitely like some tracks much more than others, namely "rainy day" and "uber cougar." "japoney apple" was just a little weak for me and relied too much on the harmonics especially in the chorus. it just didn't feel especially inventive which is something i really crave with my music. i do still enjoy this ep a LOT, though, for its soaring highlights and irresistibly unashamed guitar and synth riffs. i give it a long, hard 3.9/5.
