Culture

When writing a review, it can be extremely difficult to take an objective, non-partisan perspective and put my own personal taste to one side. Especially with the album Underwater Pyramids by Badd Energy, as it is a style of music that sits at the lower end of my music-enjoyment spectrum. Initially I wrote it off as pretentious, noisy, and badly produced. They thank “whanau, whamily and whiends”, and I do judge albums by their covers. However, I will admit that by ignoring these instinctual feelings and employing a little more critical thought, exploring this album proved interesting.

For original band members Samuel Moore, Coco Solid, and Trixie Darko, this is their second album with Flying Nun records. Underwater Pyramids feels very underground, with a bare structure and noticeable psychedelic influences giving it a distinctly punk feel. The band describes itself as “stoner-swamp”. Presuming my assumptions about what “stoner-swamp” is are correct (I remain oblivious to the phrase’s exact meaning), listening to the album with this description in mind you do notice the heavier drop-beat qualities and darker vibe created by the drum machines. A distinctly minor key flavour provides a basis for their interesting incorporation of 808 rap, though they tend to sit atop the instrumentals a little uncomfortably – at one point I equated Trixie Darko’s vocals to the wonderful M.I.A.

Recorded in Samuel Moore’s house in Auckland, it was difficult for me to get past the presence of blatantly unintentional fuzzy elements in songs that a professional producer would have smoothed out. The album was also a little eclectic. Greater continuity of the “messages” would have worked in its favour. “Riot” invokes the anti-establishment messages typical of underground bands, but it seems to be the only song on the album that does so. However, I was impressed by Badd Energy’s activist efforts within our local community, using gigs to raise awareness about issues such as gay rights.

Although there were touches of something unique in songs such as “How Do You Sleep,” overall I found the album unsatisfying. There’s an obvious intention to produce something a bit different, but greater cohesion and development of their music style would have helped to create a more solid album. Still, a label has taken notice, with Underwater Pyramids released not only here but also across the ditch – so Badd Energy have definite potential.