PHYSCO and Bass Envy Reviewed
PHYSCO – Arrival of the Apex
Most of us didn’t learn anything from the great prog-rock bands of the 1970s! Sure, we bought their records. Thousands of copies of them probably get sold every week, still.
And, sure, we made those bands hugely successful. In fact, you’re likely to see a version of those groups (usually missing the vast majority of original members) still touring and playing to thousands of people every night.
But where’s their influence? Ask a chatbot to write you an early 1970s Queen song, and it’ll do it, but you’re likely to choke from laughter. Ask a modern musician to do it, and if they’re skilled enough, you’re likely to end up with a Dream Theater song.
PHYSCO sound like young musicians who’ve co-opted each other into some kind of cult. They hold ceremonies in the basement each evening, religiously listen to Yes and Queen and, under the threat of physical punishment, attempt to write and play music of a similar complexity. Most importantly, “Arrival of the Apex,” apart from the song title, sounds as fun, refreshing and breezy as music this complex ever can.
Bass Envy – You Make Me A Better Man
What does a rock band sound like? And, more importantly, what does a rock band look like? You probably didn’t have to think too hard about either of those questions, and in both cases, I assume, you imagined a Slash-like character playing solos while sitting atop a mountain and having their hair dramatically blow in the wind.
You’re not wrong, sure. Statistically, this is what rock music sounds and looks like, and that’s the reason why Slash action figures will always be in demand. But why does it always have to be that way? Can rock music be even more alluring when you remove some of the cliches from it?
This is what Bass Envy hopes to do as it erases and replaces the role of the electric guitar. Oh, believe me, you’ll hear it! That’s because the melodic blues-rock of “You Make Me a Better Man” is designed around a format known for using expressive six-string action. However, I’m happy to report that Bass Envy’s omission makes the music surprising and lends to a neat, hypnotic effect.
