Feedback greets the listener when they hit play. “Kerosene” sounds like something out of the ’80s, alternative and no wave. Then “Vacuum Cleaner” hits the listener with dubsteby throbs (not the only song to have a Scorn-like feel) before going down a rabbit hole. A little later, the beginning of the title track reminds me of Myrkur before it settles into a Swans groove. “Shore” could be described as having a Neubauten influence.
And on the record goes. “Cacophony” keeps coming to mind as the record spins. I mentioned “dark rock” in this review’s title as it’s how the band describes itself, but I wouldn’t say “rock” is quite part of its sound. I mean, Luna Honey rocks on this record about as much as Swans does these days. It’s more about being hard emotionally here.
Lyrically, singer Maura Pond paints pictures of desolate places and situations and refers to seemingly mundane objects as possible metaphors. Pond uses a few different vocal styles on different songs. And Bound uses obscure artwork and unusual album layout choices to deliver a message: this record is not going to be a simple listen.
Bound is a dark, artsy record, and I recommend it for people into such moody music. It’s out on CD, cassette, and digital, available straight from the band.
Photos: Lindsay Hogan
