What: The only (?) EP from Aussie band Cranky, who happen to have a bass player who ended up in pre.shrunk, one of my fav bands of the late 90s.
Why: pre.shrunk obsessed.
Tell me more: As the reason I bought this was to hear some early Dave-on-bass-and-effects action, I wasn't disappointed. Many of the trademark pre.shrunk bassy-sounding-like-guitar solos are here, as are Dave's great slapping riffs.
The most well known track is "Australia Don't Become America" and dang it ain't half catchy. The rapper is a New Zealander? I certainly think of Supergroove listening to this.
They're a unique band, bass riffs, drums, loops and samples, flute and nuzz-uland-repping. It almost works.
"Mars" is the most pre.shrunk sounding track, easily fitting in on one of their first EPs, with Dave singing slapping and soloing all over the place. Even the not-quite-great sounding chorus is so early pre.shrunk.
"And Yet... Somehow" had me cracking up on the train, "I get up, and I have a wee, and I sometimes have a coffee, and yet... somehow... and yet somehow one can't help but wonder..." RIFF. Repeat. It's almost a pity when the rap finally kicks in.
"Adrift" and "Relax" are both instrumentals with some nice riffs and horns but not outstanding.
"Australia Don't Become America (River Donovan Mix)" remix ain't great, but "Adrift (Qualude Mix)" slows it right down, much improving the song.
2/10: "Mars" and "And Yet... Somehow" have some merit, and the instrumentals are pleasant enough... but even with fan-boy hat on this ain't much worth talking about.
