Search - Simian :: Chemistry Is What We Are

A better Beta Band

J. Rossi | Downers Grove, IL | 01/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To clear the air, I don't find Beta Band to be all that great. I know this is blasphemy to some but it is my feeling that the Beta's best work is yet to come. In the meantime you can listen to Simian.When I played this the first time I thought I had made a terrible mistake. The beginnings of "Drop and Roll" and some of the other songs sound like pre-school children playing toy instruments. Luckily it doesn't last. After about a minute "Drop and Roll" shifts to dense trip-hoppish psychedelia - the songs sounds like MBV playing with synthesizers instead of wah and distortion pedals, or Broadcast as 90s psychedelic electro-poppers instead of 60s revisionists. "Drop and Roll" is the fastest 6 miutes of your life despite the sluggish pace of the music, and just try to get the chanting chorus out of your head.Many of the songs follow in the same vein. "The Wisp," "You Set off My Brain," and "One Dimension" being notable standouts. The songs are not necessarily very diverse but this is a great set of songs nonetheless. The second half of the album shines as Simian deftly mixes dense and ethereal psychedelic songs with some winsomely atmospheric, floating ballads. As a bonus the CD is ultra-enhanced and guides you to the quirky Simian webpage. There is a rumor that Simian got signed when they kidnapped a record executive, blidfolded him and played these demos while the band drove him around in their van. That's the perfect setting for this album - in the dark with all your senses tuned to the music. Just don't try driving blindfolded."

"Chemistry" is what they are

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 03/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If the Beta Band took some acid and lay out in the sun with the Beach Boys they might sound a bit like this. The four lads of Simian -- who claim to have kidnapped a A&R guy to get their record made -- create trippy, charming pop in their debut, "Chemistry Is What We Are." Who knew chemistry was so fun?



"I see the world in one dimension/I only see through my dementia/and I want to tell you this/feelings seem to run my mind/clarity is bliss/but chemistry is what we are..." croons Simon Lord over a catchy psychedelic tune. That can pretty much sum up the entire album -- enchanting, summery psychedelica and swooning, airy ballads.



The songs don't vary too much, but what there is has little hints of other musical styles, woven in so you barely recognize them: acoustic grit, country, doo-wop, electronic tinkles, and blippy bubbly space-rock. And songs such as "Round and Around" are smooth, enchanting ballads that even out all the psychedelic pop.



I don't know if Simian really kidnapped a record exec to get their first record out, but from the sound of their debut's music, they didn't need to. While they have the occasional odd song bombs -- what is "Three in the Corner," plodding psychedelic country? -- most of them are absolutely impeccable in structure, while not losing the "fun" aspect.



There are some echoes of Aphex Twin and Stereolab lurking under the bright melodies. Simian uses plenty of pianos and synth, keyboards all over the place. It sounds surprisingly organic, though. The melodica does the best job of all, with a wavery majesty that keeps the sound from being TOO poppy.



Simon Lord sounds like a quiet, naive choirboy who decided he wanted to be a rock star. His voice is a bit high, but very sweet. At times he gets buried under the music, but in songs like the eerie, minimalist "Chamber" he gets to shine front-and-center.



"Chemistry Is What We Are" is capturing lightning in a bottle, in a sense -- without being derivative, it has what made the best of 60s psychedelic pop so good. Enchanting and original."

Big Bill's #25 of 2001

bigbill72 | Cincinnati Ohio | 01/03/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Electro. Retro. Warped. And Weird. Musically, this disc contains the freshest electronica around. Vocally, the songs are harmonious and catchy. Equal parts Beach Boys, Pavement, and To Rococo Rot. Best songs are Mr. Crow, One Dimension, and The Wisp."