The 80s are throwing a party... and you're invited
- Adela
- Aug 4, 2018
- 2 min read
The 8-bit crEEps are back with weird album art, heavy grooving synths and driving rock n roll prowess in their third EP - A Strange Little Party.
Anyone who has ever listened to the 8-bit crEEps knows that the band is a throwback jam from another dimension. The 4 piece rock band - consisting of guitarist + frontman Mick Kong, bassist J. Bird James, drummer Joey Charch and synth master Ginger Glitch - has all of the catchy rock riffs of a modern, tech-savy group with the nostalgia of the 80s. Their recently released 3rd Ep, A Strange Little Party, shows the band fully embracing their roots with an homage to summer nights.
From the get go, 8-bit crEEps get to work on giving the listener those 80's feels: the opening track screams Talking Heads with its layers of synth and fuzz guitar. It's a danceable summer jam with guts, similar to most of the other tracks you can find on the EP. Perfect Teeth adds some Brit pop flare with its leading guitar lick; my personal favorite, Who You Know, simultaneously juxtaposes Kong's soft vibrato + harsh soaring vocals while poking fun at the (at times) obsessive networking mentality behind many industry leaders.
Another powerful song on 8-bit's new release is the tantalizing, yet confusing, I hate driving cars (part II). Structurally speaking, this song is one of the EP's most interesting. It's got beautiful melodies (initially introduced by the bass) and spacious interplay of guitar + synth, painting a dark, spacious landscape.... then explodes in a rush of fuzz pedals near the end of the song. It's a wonderfully crafted tune.
Yet this track ultimately reminds us that A Strange Little Party is still just a sampler of 8-bit's full sound. The title track, and most of the others, set up the listener for a party mesh of Muse rock, 80s, and danceable sounds. I hate driving cars (part ii).... does not: for listeners running through the whole Ep, it feels a bit out of place in that landscape. I'm glad that the band decided to keep the tune on the EP though - it's a different side of them that is new, and would add depth in a longer project, like perhaps an eventual album.
All in all, solid new release from this Chicago band. Stream the full EP on Bandcamp and tell us YOUR thoughts in the comments below!
8-bit links:
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PS: Mark your calendars for the EP release concert Sept 5th at the Empty Bottle! Feat. Lollygagger and The Red Scarves!
If you like jamming, this band is not one you want to miss live.
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