Cheer-Accident has been around since 1981, which equates to the same length of time as Metallica. Unlike the Thrash Metal legends however, the Chicago outfit (named after a Hallmark shopping display) have released a fantastic amount of albums, nearly 30 at last count, as well as several compilations, EPs and seven inches, some of which have been released by the legendary Skin Graft Records (home to Squid Pisser, U.S. Maple, The Flying Luttenbachers, Dazzling Killmen and other such wonderful artists).
Ringing endorsements include working with Noise-Rock/Alt-Rock legendary producer Steve Albini (RIP) as well as being an occasional backup band for actor, musician, screenwriter, and model Harvey Sid Fisher.
“My Love” is a piano-led piece that bears similarities to seventies singer-songwriters such as Todd Rundgren, particularly albums such as Something Anything, which in turn was influenced by artists such as Laura Nyro. The additional use of trumpets and Moog gives the track more of a cool Glammy Roxy Music swing, elevating it above what could otherwise have been a sickly saccharine MOR affair. A solid start. “Cold Comfort” is the album’s longest song at well over seven minutes, and feels epic and expansive with a progressive vibe to it. There is a subtle Led Zeppelin influence, albeit one filtered through early Killing Joke. The track maintains a steady tempo throughout, the earlier reference to Prog relating more to length than style. Pretty darn tasty, truth be told. “Weird Organ” from the off recalls the post-Punk and Coldwave of bands such as Factrix, offering up a little Goth gloom to proceedings, in other words, if you were listening to this blind for the first time, you would swear this had been recorded in the early eighties. A wonderful piece and a definite standout.
“Redwood Creek” vocally recalls the late, great Sinead O’Connor with a powerful performance, while musically it’s by far the heaviest the band have sounded on the record. The main riff is very dirty sounding and proves an ideal entry point to those who are new both to the band and their somewhat Experimental, esoteric approach. “Palos Hills” by comparison is far mellower with plaintive sounding instrumentation ala A Kind of Blue era Miles Davis with a little Psych thrown in for good measure. Absolute bliss. post-Punk makes a welcome return on “Gold-Plated Savior” as does the aforementioned Killing Joke with the apocalyptic sensibilities on offer and even a little Dream-Pop, think Cocteau Twins and Lush. “Die For Me” is soulful and even sonically a little summery despite its grim-sounding title, giving the whole affair a whimsical edge in the fashion of Indie-Pop bands such as Orange Juice. However, in case you hadn’t picked up on it, Cheer-Accident isn’t a band constricted by musical convention, and as such parts also remind the listener of the Art-Pop leanings of Curved Air or even 10CC. A delicate yet by no means predictable conclusion.
There have been reports of Admission being regarded as one of the band’s best efforts to date, and these could be right. Despite the heavy Avant-Garde and potentially challenging (to some) nature of the music, it is nonetheless a very musical and meticulously crafted piece of work which given half a chance will reward those who choose to persevere with it.
Buy the album here:
https://skingraftrecords.bandcamp.com/album/admission
8 / 10
REZA MILLS
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