Babies Three have slowly been building up their profile over the past year or so, supporting bands such as Hot Water Music, Hundred Reasons & Samiam and although they’ve released an album via Germany’s Scene Police, as well as various singles & splits, many consider this to be the recording which will really see the band gaining the recognition they so richly deserve.
Bands like Hot Water Music and Tupamaros play a noticeable part in shaping Babies Three’s epic, colourful emo-rock arrangements. And like their emo brothers Rydell they concentrate on gravelly-voiced Indie-rock where, although every care is made not to make their overall sound too heavy or abrasive [for Grade this is not] tracks like ‘Trust No One’ ensure that the sheer vigorous power of Babies Three shows through the spirit & intensity to which their strain is performed. Of course there is the exception of ‘Cartoon Boyfriend’ where Paul Waller’s screams may seem a little harsh for such a recording.
Although much of emo tends to be too deep and intricate, almost verging on monotonous nonsense, there is enough interesting melodic breaks & subtle changes to retain my interest such as opener ‘Hate Uniform’, where it’s minor transition [to which I have a soft spot for anyway] is beautifully executed & poignant in a song reminiscing a broken relationship.
For emo kids this an absolute gem of a record full of delicately-crafted songs, a good combination of angst-fuelled numbers & tinkly piano driven instrumentals and an overall package displaying some impressive graphic design artwork. What lets it down for me is the vocals which sadly don’t captivate me as much as the music. But I guess that’s emo for you.
Definitely on the verge of big things.
-
6Mat Hocking's Score