I've reviewed The Mabobs before, but that was a live show. And it was prior to the release of this, their first album. I should have heard it a while ago, but sabbaticals occur, and communications are severed by stagnation. But when the performing starts up again, it yields tasty fruits. Fruits of an experimental and crazy musical nature.
This is the music of The Creative. A rare breed; often citing influences as Primus, Ween, Mr Bungle, Frank Zappa and the like. This is music where talent and creativity take the helm and steer the band towards Obscurity. Which is a damn shame; this is just the sort of thing the kids at home need to hear.
13 (plus is sampled intro; making a round 14)tracks of varying genre and speed are on display with Children Should Not Quarrel. And from the get-go to the final chord, there is no relenting. Drums are beaten, chords are struck and riffs are riffed or whatever.
Feet can be tapped to all of these songs. To label them is to degrade. "Alternative" can only say so much. "Experimental" will make you think the wrong thing. The best way is to download some of the files and find out for yourself. But the ones available are no indication of the whole album. The only thing that these tunes have in common is that they are all performed & written by The Mabobs. Each has its own sound and intricacies.
Reviewed on Saturday, 7 June 2003