Upon haphazardly encountering Flesh Worldโs music while browsing bandcamp, we were welcomely surprised to find that they were far more local than our internet discoveries tend to be. Although members include Bay Area natives Jess Scott of Brilliant Colors and Scott Moore of Needles, the unique sound of Flesh World is something more than just a synthesis of their previous projects. Scott seems to be, above all, interested in the integrity of the local scene. Before playing with Flesh World she worked with local label Make-a-Mess Records, having released work with White Fence and The Babies, among others. The labelโs music has been described by Scott as โpunk, or pop made by punks.โ Flesh Worldโs latest LP definitely fits this ilk, sounding like something off the larger Slumberland Records. Out June 2 via Iron Lung, the post-punk bandโs debut,ย The Wild Animals In My Life, lends itself to more shoegaze and noise-pop qualities. Whirring guitars and dualistic vocals are present throughout The Wild Animals In My Life, beginning immediately with the opening track โTo Lose Me,โ where ordinary vocals are relieved by “ohs” and “ahs” from Scott. The opening track is followed by the stylistically similar โJust To Tear Me Down,โ which provides ย additional metered vocals that later release their tension in a moment of suspense where Scott states โeither way, you cut my faith.โ The title track reminds us of the anthropomorphic scene in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, but with ambiguous lyrics such as “I know theyโre wild do as they please / I opened my civilized heart / I saw what Iโd known from the start,” Scott seems to be offering a critique more personal than political. One of our favorites on the album features a prominent drum beat coupled with repetitive vocals that lead to apex of the album โ a catchy chorus repeating the trackโs namesake, โPoolside Boys,โ over a meandering guitar riff. To close, โHere In The Darkโ fully entrenches itself in the reverb-saturated qualities of the album. The rhythm guitar and drumbeat are overlain with a humming lead guitar, echoing and fading with a caustic persistence. ย Lyrics are severe, with the repetition of the title looming bleakly. After the drums and rhythm guitar fade, the guitar sustains โ commencing as a pulsing drone, then subsiding to something between that of a whisper and a hiss. Flesh Worldโs sound is familiar yet ethereal, with obvious punk influences but not bearing any sonic limitations of the genre. Each track features gratuitous reverb, giving the album a stormy, cyclical feeling. The lyrics are minimal and repetitive; they could be read as a series of short poems (as they do printed on a poster that comes with their record), especially on โYour Love is Like a Houseโ and โTo Lose Meโ where lyrical intent is ย delivered in a concise yet satisfying way. Listening to the album is wholly fulfilling, but we recommend experiencing the band play one of their frequented local venues. If you missed Flesh Worldโs local release party at El Rio last week, the band will be back before long on August 13 to perform at San Franciscoโs Rickshaw Stop. Article by Penelope Leggett Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Δ