Rat Silo: The World Is Going To End Tomorrow
We decided to both review Rat Silo’s new album – Scotty’s comments in black, Donna’s comments in blue.
Sometimes chance timing can look prophetic or derived; it depends on what side of the timeline you are on. Even though the genesis for this album started last year, the title and more than a few of the tracks of the latest audio offering from Vancouver’s Rat Silo serve as ongoing social commentary.
This modest album “The World is Going to End Tomorrow” starts off with a single released last year; “I Sacrifice: A Veteran’s Lament” is a surprisingly upbeat tune framing simple yet dark lyrics. // Being a lyrics person, this one resonated the most for me- ties in remarkably with what the world is going through right now; undervaluing sacrifices made by people in times of crisis. Punchy hard rock number.
“Curse of the Wu-Hu”…what on earth could that be about? Effected loops and bass drive this brief ditty…it’s catchy and I wanted more. // I wanted more too!
“Suspect” returns to some straight up guitar that frames the chorus with high energy…again I wanted a bit more. // There always has to be one song you put on the end of your ‘like’ list…. Suspect is my least favourite song on the album.. I just didn’t connect with it (yet).
“Waterboarding for Christ” however is what you really expect from this band; plodding riffs accentuated by electronic rhythms. It’s moody and draws you in hypnotically. It’s off-kilter and imperfectly excellent. // Agreed. This sounds like the Rat Silo I was introduced to with songs like ‘Fuck off Tony’ and ‘Blame it on Your Momma’. It’s one of the more political statements of the album for sure, and I love that Rat Silo is staying true to their roots and have something to say.
“(I’m So Glad I’m) Living on the Moon (With My Baby)” Is filled as much by parentheses as it is with a great bass riff, cymbals and irreverently delivered yet topical lyrics that turn into a discordant jam.
“The Ideas in Your Head” asks exactly that and answers it with looping bass and percussion. It’s a groovy tune. // I found this song and the next, Get High and Quit’ to be more idea than song 😉 Very long intro, very long out-tro and very little lyrically in-between, but I did like it very much.
“Get High and Quit” really stands out; the musicianship here shines and is the tightest track instrumentally on the album. The tempo helps pulls one out of the more plodding offerings that pace the tracks. // Rat Silo describe this one as ‘punchy smooth miserable groove’ – apt!
“Don’t Come Back for Me” draws you in…”No matter what I do, no matter what I say…” leaves a great visual with a tune that belongs on a gritty spaghetti western soundtrack. Again, it leaves you wanting more. // I found this to be the ‘fullest’ song on the album, it just ‘sounds’ full and well rounded.. spaghetti western eh? I’m off to go listen again!
“Dance of the Dead” opens with a subdued tribal rhythm and a phased light strumming of guitar overtop. Morrison-esque vocals add to the somber mood. Working to an instrumental crescendo it slowly fades out as it started. // Can a raw punk song be melancholy? I REALLY like this one. Simplistic in its lyrical value but for me this song left the greatest visual in my brain. I love songs that can make me see things in my mind’s eye.
“The Inevitable” starts off with a bass line that drags it’s feet a little. I found the looping synth tied it together but it was a tad anti-climactic for a final track. Commentary about humanity going out with a whimper instead of a bang?
As a whole, I felt the tracks I enjoyed the most tended to be the shortest…especially with the strong riffs in “Wu-Hu”. “Waterboarding” is the best thing off the album in my opinion.
All in all, the musicianship is strong and I really look forward to hearing these tunes live.
Reminiscent in some respects of The Cure (Disintegration), or Radio Head (OK Computer) or even the first cd from Sons of Freedom (2 of whom went on to join Rat Silo), this cd has a wide spread of grooves thanks to Erkan Gencol’s ‘loops and noises’.
The tracks I enjoyed the most tended to be the longest, or fullest: ‘The World is Going to End Tomorrow’, ‘Don’t Come Back for You’, ‘Dance of the Dead’ – goes to show that the new Rat Silo album has something for everyone. Best advice comes from Jim Newton> Play Loud. REAL LOUD. 🙂
Formed in 2007, on hiatus from 2012-2016, and back wth a revised lineup, Rat Silo are:
Jim Newton Guitar, Vocals.
Erkan Gencol Loops and Noises
Don Binns Bass
Sean Stubbs Drums
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written by Scotty Evil and Donna Mair