GIANT SQUID — Monster in the Creek (review)

GIANT SQUID — Monster in the Creek album cover EP · 2005 · Sludge Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Monster in the Creek" is an EP released in 2005 by US experimental rock/ metal act Giant Squid. It is Giant Squid´s second release (not counting the self-released "Revolution in the Water/Ampullae of Lorenzini" single from 2001)and was released through the Tyrannosaurus Records label before the band got signed to The End Records label. Giant Squid´s debut album "Metridium Field (2004)" (which was also released though Tyrannosaurus Records) was re-recorded in 2006 and released as the band´s first effort for The End Records. I haven´t listened to the original version of "Metridium Field" so "Monster in the Creek" is actually my first encounter with the band´s music. This might be an EP but the running time is 34:43 so there´s lots of quantity as well as quality on this release.

The music on "Monster in the Creek" is post rock with occasional nods toward post metal. The music features both male and female vocals which add great diversity to the atmosphere of the songs. The mood ranges from melancholic, to aggressive to at times almost happy (just listen to "Lester Stillwell"). In addition to guitar, bass and drums there are some very dominant keyboards featured in the songs. Those keyboard motifs give the songs some of their unique sound IMO. The male vocals have an emo edge to them and it took me some time to appreciate them but when Aaron Gregory sings in a more aggressive style he reminds me of Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys, Lard...etc) and the song "Throwing A Donner Party" actually has some punk leanings. There are some really beautiful sections in some of the songs as well and I would like to mention Aurielle Gregory´s singing in the songs "Monster in the Creek", "Dead Man's Creek" and "Dare We Ask the Widow?" as one of the highlights on the EP.

The musicianship is excellent. This is a really well playing band.

The production is solid but nothing out of the ordinary.

"Monster in the Creek" is a great surprise to me and I will definitely seek out the rest of Giant Squid´s discography too. A 3.5 - 4 star rating and a big recommendation from me is deserved. An excellent adventurous release from a very promising band. I can´t wait to listen to more.
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