So Many Genres, So Little Time
Common Deflection Problems are a hard band to place on the genre scale.
From the immediate rat-at-tat-tat of ‘Hurricane Dolly’ with its wailing sirens, police radios, traffic horns and unnerving laughter, it powerfully asserts itself as an opener. All slip-sliding guitars and juddering stops, it shares much with its Mathcore brethren, although the usual frenetic guitar parts are far more restrained here. But curiously it is also reminiscent of the slow burning stoner rock of Kyuss and other desert based bands. This seemingly beguiling concoction of sounds sets up for the rest of the EP, but instead of being mesmerising in its alchemy, the constant clash of noise become rather an annoyance.
‘I Have To’ again follows the stoner sound but this time is teamed with quasi-Nick Cave vocals. Attempting to hit those tremulous, knee quivering notes that Cave hits with ease, it never really reaches those giddy heights and not even a hint of cowbell can save this track. Starting and stopping, it never really reaches a subtle climax and plods on awkwardly like an aged, alcoholic tramp that has shat himself.
‘Tottenham Court Road’ kicks off like a jaunty Gaelic pop song, with its obvious indie influence and whispery vocals, but then seamlessly segues into a sound not to dissimilar to ‘The Bends’ era Radiohead; heads into Soundgarden territory and then ping pongs around the genres until the instruments seemingly have enough and see fit unplug themselves.
Although not being able to pin a particular genre on a band is usually a positive, with Common Deflection Problems it's problematic. This EP, although accomplished, sounds like the work of three different bands. By combining a whole plethora of noise and genres, the original touches are hidden from the ear and all that is left is a rather chaotic and messy affair. From a knuckle dusting intro, the EP slides downhill rapidly, but those fleeting moments of brilliance may be reason enough to keep an eye on this three-piece.