Album review: Snapped Ankles marks synth evolution with Forest of Your Problems
In early July, the eccentric East London-based punk band, Snapped Ankles, released their fourth studio album on The Leaf Label. Forest of Your Problems marks the synth-driven evolution of a band mastering their art on their own terms.
Often seen in their elaborate ghillie suits, equipped with ritual staffs, the foursome has come a long way from their modest beginning, when they put on warehouse shows, pairing music with film and performance art at DIY events in London. The band, who are admittedly inspired by Kraftwerk, have taken a retro-electronic approach, making their own instruments by modifying old pieces of wood. Logs if you will.
Forest of Your Problems kicks off with a hazy sound stretch, leading into funky synth and upbeat drums with the dance-inducing title track, “Forest of Your Problems,” followed immediately with rattling drums that deliver “The Evidence.”
In “Shifting Baselines of the Cornucopians,” Austin proclaims, ”it’s a great time to be alive, if only you’ve got some funds,” in a track that rails against “fiscal harassment.” There’s a bit of tongue in cheek humor thrown in for good measure with Snapped Ankles whether we’re talking about the clever, little labels they have for their social pages on the band website; Anklebook, AnkleTube, Forest Tweeter, you get the idea or having a bit of fun with reporters. While this act is serious about making good music, they don’t take themselves too seriously.
The mysterious group contains a member known as Austin on guitar and vocals and another called Chesnutt on keyboards. The evolving band of players that is Snapped Ankles insists on using only surnames to obscure their identity. Their music carries a complex, electronic sound coupled with a primal feel, while being able to maintain a sense of anonymity by employing masks and costumes, allowing the group to immerse more deeply into their performance. Much of Snapped Ankles’ material is conceived via unstructured drum jam-outs, resulting in synth-driven, post-punk.
This LP hits full throttle with “Rhythm Is Our Business.” A jolting number worthy of being the band’s anthem, it embodies the feel of the album. If you’re looking to get a taste of this record, this track might be the place to start rather than at the beginning.
In eerie-yet-upbeat fashion, “The Prince is Back,” builds on the unconventional trajectory of Forest of Your Problems, with vocalist Austin kicking off the track quoting Harold Shand’s legendary line from The Long Good Friday, “I’m not a politician; I’m a businessman.”
“Xylophobia,” and “Forest of Your Problems (Outro) conclude the 10-track collection in a fine fashion that sears the LP into the listener’s memory. You’re going to have to take a listen to completely comprehend what we mean by that.
Unpredictable and addictive, Snapped Ankles has delivered a contemporary take on a retro sound with innovative, minimalist methods. The simultaneous precision and chaos the band delivers is all the more impressive being framed in the nostalgia their retro-electronica sound evokes. That, in our opinion, is a great place to be creatively.
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