His Electro Blue Voice is another fresh voice that cries out amongst a crowd of so-so same-old indie rock artists.  In fact, it’s so fresh that there’s no succinct way to describe it. What’s funny is that I didn’t realize this was a 45 RPM 12” and so started playing it at 33 RPM. Wow, that was a totally different experience. It sounded like some soggy doom act. And what’s even funnier is that, if you’re into that sorta thing, it would’ve worked. But the real HEBV is much more unusual than that.
There’s an innovative enthusiasm about them. They sound to me like they come from a rearing of punk, goth, post-punk, and early drone, and have settled on a particular recipe of it all to call their own. They have a real punk-like energy on some of their songs with unconventional bridges or exceptional guitar and bass lines that stand out. Even though this is advertised as three total tracks, the way it sounds and the way the vinyl is cut you would think there are five total. So, for the sake of the review I am going to break up the longer tracks and make them actually two.
On the more rockin’ tracks there’s usually a heavy, thick slab of amped atmospherics. On those tracks vocals are usually mixed in that have a Metallica-like solemnity but a more youthful vivacity as well. Takes those characteristics and drop them through a shredder and you’ll get an idea of just what I mean. Then there are other tracks that are purely instrumental. The first one you encounter has what the label calls “oriental chords” as well as flute and another guitar with harp-like qualities. The other one begins as a nice airy drone work, but then a low-slung bass line creeps in and then more guitar crunch follows the lead and it’s an anxious racket. The last one sounds similar to one of their more punkish tracks but without the voiced addition.
This three-track EP that clocks in at just under twenty-five minutes may seem too brief to notice—I mean, just as you’re settling in, it’s done—but it’s the longest release that this band has offered. When considering that their previous offerings were all singles, this suddenly doesn’t feel so short. Anyway, it’s worth the price tag. What you get is more about quality than quantity. And anyone given the option to go to Old Country Buffet or Morton’s Steakhouse knows the importance in that. The art and the design ain’t too bad either. I don’t really know how to describe it, but it’s got a nice texture to it. The lyrics are laid out for you on the back cover as well. Almost a culminating moment for a band of five years, since they put out so little. I’m guessing they’re meticulous about what they put out and want it to be just perfect before it sees release, which explains their small discography. Well, their drive for excellence shows.
9/10
