Neon Hunk - Smarmymob
(Load)
Neon Hunk, in all their flourescent-colored, rainbow-patterned glory, exhibit an interesting duality of pretty kitties, kitsch, and kiddie innocence mixed with sweat-stained laundry, uncontrollable urges, and just a hint of menacing swagger. On one hand, the group's keyboard/drums duets are sing-song ditties built on playful grooves, with melodies that wouldn't be out of place in some of network TV's more "advanced" children's programming. But, on the other hand, Neon Hunk's debut, Smarmymob, is purposefully grating, dirty, and perhaps even mocking behind its cute demeanor. To those of us who never had the chance or desire to watch the cartoons of our childhood on LSD, this bent-up squeal of retro-futurism may seem a bit odd or disconcerting, but after the initial shock/glee/confusion wears off, and the eyes adjust to the bright colors, the hypnotic world of Neon Hunk quickly feels normal, to a degree.
It's just like the way the mismatched, ugly color schemes of the carpets of one's youth appear normal, almost comforting in the soft, glazed remembrance of childhood. With song titles like "Nugglies," "Nibblemaker," "My Unicorn: My Ride," and, my personal favorite title-wise, "Goob Tooblies," Smarmymob sounds like the result of an ADHD-led childhood of sugar highs, imaginary friends, and My Little Pony filtering itself into the adult psyche of a pair of spastic adults. Far more incendiary when they rely on grating repetition rather than a fatter undulating groove, Neon Hunk do manage to make music that should please both the goofball synth-head and butt-shaking dancer in your household. Tracks like "Goob Tooblies" are a little too catchy and danceable for their own good, but the more abrasive but still funky "Meowsus" is enough of a jilt to the album's rhythm to ensure that it's more than just background music to shake one's rump to. The percussion work of the aptly named Mossmaster is at its best when in full-on clatter mode, when the drums fall into more of a timekeeping mode, things aren't half as interesting. Unfortunately, nothing on the album totally lives up to the wonderful grate that "Nugglies" kicks things off with, but I'm willing to forgive that folly.
Only twenty minutes long, Smarmymob has little time to become monotonous or boring, but still finds a way to drag a bit towards the end of its seventeen tracks. Luckily, the hyperactivity of the music means that there's little time to get too comfortable with a song before it's over. Don't expect music that'll reward you with subtleties that emerge after fifteen listens, but Neon Hunk make a commendable effort on their first full-length release, and have the good taste to keep things fast, short, and sweet... and more than a little silly.
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