Rarely is it necessary to start a review with such a disclaimer, but this reviewer does not speak Italian. In fact, this reviewer has only been to Italy once as a small child, and in those beautifully sunny weeks, he did not have enough time to learn Italian to a fluent enough level to understand what is being screeched in the three songs that form this EP.
Even a well-known online translating website is able to offer little support as to the meaning of the title; only reaffirming assumptions that there is mention of an elephant and some reference to shapes. Note therefore that there are no references to the lyrics in the following…
The type of fast-paced and high-pitched post-punk that Parma based LAST COLD CRASH deliver on their self-released 2009 EP does not rely on understanding. Taking the same route as a number of more modern post-punk outfits, these Italians are drawing influences from wider music genres, injecting the sound with overtly hardcore vocals and instrumentation. It is difficult to imagine that any lyrics could be understood after they have been manipulated to form the vocal style that is either going to make or break this album.
Musically ‘Elefanti…’ is solid, although the first three and a half-minute instrumental section of ‘Autocensura di un candelabro’ (undoubtedly the most prominent showcase for the band members to demonstrate their musical ability) is unlikely to drop jaws. The DIY production value on the record only further hinders the explosiveness of the record, and it is only when the vocals come into play that the songs feel complete. Depending on your viewpoint these vocals either generate the required punch, or they provide an overly forced upper level to an already underwhelming event.
LAST COLD CRASH display a solid foundation on ‘Elefanti…’, yet the low production and DIY release do not add the raw intensity that is the case for some. There exists a definite need for the band to pull all the elements together to form a solid structure, rather than floating somewhere between instrumental post-rock and hardcore from moment to moment. LAST COLD CRASH may be able to deliver the goods on a more structured release, however ‘Elefanti…’ does not hit the mark.
BEN TIPPLE