No kidding?!!? Really?!!? Huh?!!?

OK, enough joking around. This experimental group is serious stuff man. Truly, “Masochism in the Trade” scared the crap out of me when I first started listening.

Why, you ask? First of all, because they are working out of Austin, which is one of the great music cities in the world. But, the fright doesn’t come from a Halloween-type scare. It’s more of a goose bumps thing, when I hear young folks pressing against the cellophane walls. Check out “Sleeping with Skeleton Keys.” I liked the description of “goth, chamber-rock and pure insanity” from The Onion. That’s about it.

Now, some reviews (even in Austin) have not been quite as favorable as the band would probably like. Yes, the lead singing is non-stop. One reviewer called it “exhausting fury.” But isn’t discomfort one of the goals for experimental bands, whether from vocals or instruments?

So, this group is indeed avant-garde. Get over it! I wouldn’t expect a soothing rock ballad or some of the great Allison Kraus vocals after I’ve heard a sampling of the tunes from Death Is Not a Joyride. If you can’t hang on to the side of the wagon for experimental music, then let go.

I wouldn’t rate this my favorite driving music, but it’s good to know someone is trying this out.

Death Is Not a Joyride on MySpace

Tags: indie music, indie, music, independent music, death is not a joyride