ALBUM REVIEW: Libertine – Foreign Body
Hard rock outfit, FOREIGN BODY, have put out their newest record Libertine. The New York quartet, heavily inspired by the likes of antisocial bands including THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, POISON IDEA, and BRAINBOMBS, decided to create a record surrounding those deemed by society as ‘undesirables’ and telling their stories of their lives in the underbelly of their home city. Storytelling akin to that of French realist authors who weren’t afraid with their brutal descriptions of life.
As intriguing as that concept is, it feels frustrating that the backstory, especially if you’re unaware, is somewhat lost in the final draft. We can appreciate hard hitting sounds and gnarly sounding compositions that captured the harsher side of life, but if the emphasis is meant to be on the lyrical storytelling maybe don’t use a distorted effect that makes the vocals lost within the sound.
To repeat, we enjoy distorted heavy hitting sounds, in fact we were intrigued when we listened to intro track Strung Out where you were immediately hit with the loud instrumentals and gruff vocals. There’s a hook, and it also gives the vibe of being next door and hearing a live performa...