Rating: NNNN
Nick Buzz first got together in the early 90s, when Martin Tielli filled in for Mary Margaret O’Hara on a Joni Mitchell tribute album with Hugh Marsh, Jonathan Goldsmith and Rob Piltch. In 1996, they released their debut album, Circo.
Fast-forward nearly two decades and the avant-rock improvisers have finally reconvened for a sophomore record. Though the first couple of tracks seem to be at odds with the album title – dancey opener The Hens Lay Everyday delights in absurd digital details and references Talking Heads and the Beach Boys This Is Not My World is a buzzy, synth- and bass-heavy paranoid blues tune – every song is different.
Sea Monkeys evokes childhood memories through music-box sounds and lyrical wonder, while the title track – with sax squawks and nonsensical talking – is at once pastoral, electronic and eccentric.
Notably absent are drums, which make the occasional stomps, handclaps and percussive use of guitars exciting.
Top track: Sea Monkeys
