A Band With Infinate Potential
Pat Charles | No Where, NW | 07/26/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Hedonists, Maybe have been my favorite band for a few years now and it's great to hear their first proper album, "For Them, For Us, For Her." This album contains difficult yet melodic punk anthems that will stir your body as well as your brain. Lead siren Kristen Strezo is a powerful singer as well as a dynamic performer. The same is true of guitar warlock BJ Maybe, who attacks the instrument and releases both a sea of dissonance and melody. If I were to give a reference point I could most accurately say that H,M are a cross between 70's avant punk band the Slits (or Raincoats) crossed with the more meandering song structures of art rock band Rush (but don't worry, Ms. Strezo aint no Geddy Lee!).
The songs are great, especially the churning "High School" (a song about the social pressure to conform- in that institution or elsewhere) and the haunting acoustic "Dress Shops," which seems to be about one girl's struggle to distance herself from intimacy even as she desires it. These songs and others bristle with raw emotion and intensity.
The albums's only downfall are its filler tracks "Where Does the King Keep His Armies" and "3 Hairs," which would be fine tracks in another context, but not on this, their debut.
That aside, "For Them, For Us, For Her" is a superb album by a superb band. If you want your rock music with energy and a whole lot of heart, H,M is your band. (Keep on the lookout for these guys, they're going to be bigger than Jesus and the Beatles.)
"
Good songs
Pat Charles | 06/06/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"if this cd were cereal, it'd be wheaties because after one bowl i'm satisified emotionally and nutrionally and it meets all of my daily requirements: rawkin out and inward reflection. it starts the day off right. i even have it for dinner sometimes. it is also acceptable to eat dry without milk. two percent or skim. it's quick and doesnt get soggy if i leave it on. but if it did it would be good soggy."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1