Defender/Meterman - Hemispheres 12"
(Some Odd Pilot)
Defender was a game I was never very good at. When you stop pressing right, you should stop moving right, "real world physics" be damned. How'm I supposed to catch all those humans if I can't turn around quickly? Huh? I don't think I ever played Meterman though. I assume it is just some knock-off of Pac-Man, but I don't think I ever actually played it.
Defender the band is pretty similar to Defender the game. Back in the 90s, the Touch and Go mail order catalog ("the Insound of the 90s") described Trans Am as "modern day soundtracks to early 80's arcade games." Same applies here on Defender's debut release. The band's first song is the synth-driven "Please and Thank You" that packs a soft and pleasant groove under its pulsing, jittery guitar. The more epic "Aim High" tries to be a bit more adventurously structured, but the airy, spacious first half of the song is a bit pointless, and the jet-stream groove the clouds of keyboards flow into lacks punch. The density of the song still makes it a pleasing listen, though.
Meterman doesn't have much to do with keyboards and post-rock, let alone video games. Instead they are post-punk band that looks as much to Rapeman and Tar as they do to hip-band-of-the-moment Liars. Their side of the vinyl starts off with a forceful, distorted bass part in "City Hum." Thick guitars dominate the song, creating a very faithful early 90s Chicago sound. "Midi Hum" and "Ultimate" even go so far as to ape a retro recording style, creating a muted, cut-off, very late 80s post-hardcore vibe. As a result, "Ultimate" sounds like it was recorded fully underwater, creating a dark, murky sound. These songs are perhaps just as good as the ones Tar and the like churned out ten years ago, however one could also say Meterman isn't doing anything different from what Tar did ten years ago.
Not knowing of either of these bands before this release, both of these bands impress me. The songs are sonicly rich and well done. However, at the same time, neither band does anything to set themselves apart from their obvious references. Two bands to keep an eye out for, but perhaps this release is more useful as an introduction than as a necessary part of your collection.
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