| CD REVIEW Muletrain |
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Band: Muletrain You know, I’d never heard of Madrid’s Muletrain, but I was instantly attracted (in chronological order of event) to their bandname, the nice “gatefold” cardboard package with CD and DVD, displaying some Perfect Happy Military Family (you know: mom, dad, son, daughter…all I was missing was the dog, really) on an outdors trip, joyfully pushing a button that sets a not-too-nearby city to blazes…and eventually also the music! The quartet was founded in 2001, when former Aerobitch members Mario (vocals & guitar), Ivar (lead guitar & 2nd voice) and Nacho (bass) joined with drummer Servan (formerly from Canary Islands band Milk Fiction)… Hold it! Aerobitch? I think I happen to have a 2000 mini-CD by those guys! Oh, sorry, wrong thought…I guess I héard that thing once at a friend’s! At any rate, they used to be cornered as “One Of Spain’s Most promising Bands” in the Spanish Punk/ Hardcore scene of the late ‘90s, you know! Anyway, Muletrain started off their recording career through a self-titled 7-inch issued by the No Tomorrow label in 2003, debut “full-length” (more about that later) coming in September 2004 Demolition Preaching on Beat Genaration! Two years later, the band brought their sophomore album The Worst Is Yet To Come (again a BG release, issued in the Spring) and another 7-inch titled Back Door…that via Discos Subterraneos and Punk Machine. To support the album, the band set out on an increased touring schedule which would take the band all over Spain, and parts of France and Germany. 2007 was again fruitful, with the resurgeance of two vinyl releases: first the The Ansar EP (issued through BG), then the Rocks 7-inch (through the Sell Our Souls imprint). New recordings sessions during late June (for most of the material) and early July (only for additional vocals) resulted in a split 7-inch with CSC on the No Tomorrow label released at the very beginning of this year (at least, I think so) and this album, issued in early February in the form of CD + DVD as described above, and as vinyl album in early April! The band’s music now, is a driven Garage Punk-Rock-And-Roll which may not be too original, but knows to attract because of its catchy volatility. Depending on whom you ask, you may get comparisons such as “…the Punky side of Motörhead…”, or “…remeniscent of Zeke, Turbonegro, and evidently our own Peter Pan Speedrock…” (have you guessed that the latter came from a Dutch reviewer?). In reality, things lay somewhere in between, the guys combining elements of Punk Rock, Speed Rock, Rock ‘n’ Roll with a Hardcore flair, and a nice bit of Surf music to make their up-tempo but catchy songs. Sure, at a couple of moments they kinda take back on the velocity throttle, but overall the relatively short tracks are pumped through at remarkable speed. Hence, the 13 songs only last a total of just under 26 minutes! But no worries, the material is indeed catchy enough, and invites to sevaral consecutive listening sessions! The DVD is, happily, somewhat longer, and contains the 54 ½ minute Dios Salve Al Rock De Estadio (God Save Arena Rock) documentary, which won an award in the category “Best International Music Documentary” at the Independent Film & Video Festival in New York. Also on the DVD, 6 scenes that did nót make the documentary…totalling just under 10 minutes…and videos the band made for the tracks “Back Door” and “Next Level” (nót on this album)…good for another 5 minutes of viewing pleasure…if you’re into this kind of thing, that is! Personally, I like this very much! The Surf element sure elevates the whole thing to another level (than, for instance PP Speedrock!)! Check out some songs at myspace.com/muletrain, and get convinced yourself! 85/100 Tony. |