- See all the Ratings
- Add my Rating now
Damn Arms are what the kids are calling ‘New Rave’, the latest fusion of punk and electronic dance music. In 2003 it was called ”’Dance Punk’ with !!! , LCD Soundsystem and The Rapture. Back in 2000 it was called ‘Electroclash’ and even before that it was just called ‘Synth Pop’. Damn Arms continues the legacy of early innovators like Dépêche Mode and New Order; they add their own distinct style to a tradition of music that has been around since the synthesizer became reasonable affordable. This isn’t to say that Damn Arms are unoriginal but just that they should not be pigeonholed into a short lived faux genre.
The Melbourne quartet’s debut album begins with Edie, the closest they come to an all-out stadium rock and roll anthem. However, the distinct use of vocoder and icy synths keeps it feeling fresh. As the album name The Live Artex implies, the Damn Arms are a definitely a live band. Their gigs are a live wire affair of angular guitar fuzz, metronomic drumming and stabbing keyboard. Recently touring with the likes of the Klaxons, Cut Copy , Midnight Juggernauts and the Kills , Damn Arms are poised to take the next step in their musical careers.
This progression is visible in their new album. All the songs from their previous EP Test Patterns tended to sound very much the same with only a slight change in the synths and lyrics. This was all well and good considering the quality of the template they were using, however this album tends to be more varied. The album’s last track stands out particularly in this regard. Beginning as a cascading drum beat resembling some forgotten b-side of the Rapture. Melodic synths begin to kick in and then a raucous explosion of guitar noise and wailing vocals.
Despite occasionally getting “arty” with their sound they still have a load of catchy singles. With plenty of songs up to the same standard as past favourites like Cormorant or Test Patterns, expect to be hearing a lot more of these guys. Especially with a slew of remixes, peo0ple that have helped out in the past have included the Midnight Juggernauts and members of Cut Copy and Testicles, that will be tearing up the dance floors at your local indie-themed club nights.
Big things are in store for Damn Arms in 2008. Catch them at the Laneway festivals before they head off for a European tour.
