(c) Park+Riot
Power duos are no longer a gimmick, but a more than sensible line-up variant for small but more than fine bands. Samuel and Micha from Leipzig have enough guitar, drums and vocals to act as Park+Riot to tear everything down. The Germans dedicate themselves to chaotic core sounds from the mid to late 90s, often enriched with math influences, but also find space for post rock and melody. With „Wise Words From Well-Fed Mouths“ you now end up at This Charming Man.
To stay with twosomes: the opening double of this album takes no prisoners and is instead bent on complete destruction in the best sense of the word. “Lungs Out” has the unruliness in it from the first second, of course undercut by traces of Botch, Breach and Coalesce, accompanied by aloof, raw energy. The brief reverb in the middle of the track serves as the eye of the storm, after which things get hectic again. After that, “Clouds” starts in media res, but quickly finds a post-atmosphere in an oversized early break. The most intense anxiety takes hold as the second half touches concrete.
It quickly becomes clear: Even for areas of math and chaos, Park+Riot think very little of Scheme F. The extended “Cure” even surprises for a long time as a post-rock lesson, with the vocals being surprisingly raw, first softening, then increasing distorted soundscapes slide. “Seeds” always finds the thick harmony, the larger-than-life hook in the middle of the mighty hussar ride, which is incredibly fun. The repeated molting of “Goodbye” is also good, with the graceful stomping with melodic approaches creating enthusiasm. It’s constantly simmering, brutal freaks and pop charm have rarely been so close.
With their very own version of 90s core madness, Park+Riot are doing a hell of a lot right. Of course, all the expected, hoped-for chaos markers are there, casually and crazy riding on the wrecking ball. That alone provides entertainment, but it’s the unexpected nuances that make “Wise Words From Well-Fed Mouths” really rise above itself. Through the use of post-rock atmosphere, pop undertones, but also absolute brute force in unexpected moments, this record really takes off. A wonderful rollercoaster of emotions provides the genius with a lot of madness – an entertaining affair from start to finish and peculiar in the best sense of the word.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: March 1, 2024
Available via: This Charming Man Records (Cargo Records)
Website: parkandriot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ParkRiot
Category: Magazin, Reviews