CD Review

Artist: Fembots

CD: Calling Out

Release Date: September 16^th, 2008

Record Label: (weewerk)

Reviewed by: Leah Mertz (Edmonton/Calgary Correspondent – Canada)

Fembots have returned to their crashin’ bangin’ post-industrial roots for the release of their fourth studio album ‘Calling Out’. While leaning on the crutch of their eclectic array of bizarre homemade musicianship, the five Fembots themselves have poured their heart and soul into blazing an innovative path that artistically connects the ambiguity between music and noise. This path seems to be clearly marked; ‘Calling Out’ is cutting edge and so varied that the songs stay fresh and unique as they play by. This obvious lack of musical unity is a useful tool in provoking the audience to listen to it again and again, and by doing so, discovering new gems each round.

My favourite cut on the album is the up tempo ‘My Hands Are a City’. The song has a very retro feel to it with its rustic beat and off beat hand claps. The hook is catchy with its simple harmonies and fun lyrics. Later on, ‘The Ballad of Lucybelle Carter’ proves to be slightly more dissonant; however, its ethno-musically enhanced percussion tracks aid in keeping the melody relevant and worthy of our attention. Vocally, ‘J.L. Recalls His Amazon Adventure From A Comfortable Chair In The Window Of No.5 The Kingsway’ (I’m assuming the band’s graphic designer demanded a revision due to issues with fitting this title on a CD case) is the strongest. Its jazzy swaggered feel tells J.L.’s interesting story in the style of a Broadway aria. By the end of the song, you can sympathize with the length of the title; for it parallels the longevity of J.L’s many trials and tribulations. Most of the other songs flourish with catchy rock riffs and infectious pop melodies.

Overall, ‘Calling out’ is not for everyone. The sounds used to create rhythm are not your typical drum kit, and the chorus’s inharmonious riffs rarely encourage anyone to sing along. However, Fembots encourage audience participation in a different way. They call for us to enjoy a new brand of music where the least expected is what we should expect. ‘Calling Out’ carefully crafts a portrait of realities from many different walks of life; it is up to us to align ourselves with one that suits us best.

Track Listing:

1) Good Days

2) Can I Be Your Mirror

3) My Hands Are a City

4) Get in the Van

5) God Keep Our Hands Clean

6) JL Recalls His Amazon Adventure From a Comfortable Chair in the Window of No. 5 the Kingsway

7) Hand Print in Wet Cement

8) Lost at Sea

9) The Ballad of Lucybelle Carter

10) The End of the Day

11) Ship Breaking