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Staff IconBenard - Has A Posse (Cover Artwork)

Benard

Has A Posse (2005)
Alaska

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: Brian
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Published on August 26th 2005


Benard's Has A Posse two-song EP is punk-charged indie rock that while roughly produced and occasionally sloppy, is a brief look into some smart ideas being executed quickly and without aggrandizing the sound. With a lead singer resembling a throatier Cedric Bixler, I'm tempted to throw them into the newest wave of At The Drive-In clones, but there seems to be a little more going on. Things are a bit more raw and unbridled, perhaps similar to the early 90's work of Franklin before their reggae influences started to surface.

As noted immediately in opener "This Shit Is The Shit" (after an increasingly pensive moment of riffing and loudening feedback in the other speaker), the vocals are consistently under a layer of distortion, but it works well, upping the desperate factor to the music by a few increments. If you're getting a sense of a stripped down, no holds barred attack from this song and "I Wish You Were A Penguin," it's probably because the EP was recorded on an 8-track reel-to-reel, tracked live (minus the vocals) and on the first take.

Oh, and for what it's worth, the band contains ex-members of Stranger By Day and Left To Rust. This'll probably help you more than it's helping me.

As these are the first two songs the band has ever put to tape, it's an impressive debut showing a ton of potential in the Smyrna, GA outfit. While there isn't a ton of replayability here despite the length, Benard definitely has a real shot at making a lasting entry into the genre.

MP3
This Shit Is The Shit




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    Anonymous (February 9, 2006)

    just found this band, it seems as if they are pretty local about their music which is neat but not neat if you are not a local. good stuff.

    Anonymous (October 23, 2005)

    Benard rules. I saw them live last night, at the Fox Trotsky cd release party. Their set was excellent. The ep's pretty sick too. Definitely go see them live if you get the chance.

    Anonymous (September 20, 2005)

    fuck man. benard is incredible. i cannot believe it. every alaska records band is incredible. i love that record label. www.alaskarecords.net . this shit is the shit!! lol!!! omg hot wangs

    Anonymous (August 31, 2005)

    this shit is shit

    Anonymous (August 30, 2005)

    hey, this shit is the shit!

    Anonymous (August 27, 2005)

    If you live in Atlanta, check this band out. They're one of the best things going on here.

    inagreendase (August 26, 2005)

    A 2 song ep? Isnt that a single?

    Eh, I only consider an EP a single if it's titled with that song, and if it's meant to be put out with the idea of getting that song on multiple radio stations.

    Anonymous (August 26, 2005)

    Who knew that ripping off Shepard Fairey would be the next big thing?

    Anonymous (August 26, 2005)

    "A 2 song ep? Isnt that a single? Anyway, its cool that you can download half the album here."

    maybe it's just because it's almost 2:30 in the morning, but that was hilarious.

    tahoejeff (August 26, 2005)

    A 2 song ep? Isnt that a single? Anyway, its cool that you can download half the album here.

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