Black Moth Super Rainbow - Eating Us

"Listenin' ta Blayak Mauth Super Rainbow is like a box-a-chocolates. Ya never know what your gonna gayut."
-Jubliem Cornell

Black Moth Super Rainbow is a trippy band. Eating Us is a trippy album. And I mean that in a good way. We need to feel like we're high without taking drugs sometimes, right? Indeed. Pitchfork describes the album as 'air being dipped in candy acid fluff'. That probably sums it up right there. I call it simply an exploding rainbow made out of candy and marshmallows. Yummy.

You see, BMSR have been around for longer than you think. When I say that, I mean, like, since 2003 or so (2000 under the name Satanstompingcaterpillars). Their first album as BMSR, called Falling Through A Field, certainly had a very unique sound, unlike any other. I guess the best way to describe the songs is soft like marshmallows, but crunchy like Craft Crumbles (they're crumbelievable), lots of heavy drumbeats, lots of synth-pop, and 'on acid'. Plus, the song names go perfectly. For example, songs like I Think It's Beautiful You're 256 Colors Too, Colorful Nickels, Sun Organ, and The Magical Butterfly Net. This little plus is included on probably every BMSR album, including the one I should be reviewing. Okay, let's get down to business. Let's give it the ol' track-by-track review.

Born On A Day The Sun Didn't Rise is a good example of simple-as-heck melody that's been used so many times, turned into something completely awesome. Although I think any song with this melody is awesome. But this one is just extremely catchy, has a simple but heavy beat, and includes Tobacco's infamous synthy voice. But wait. The stoned/high feel to it only gets worse/better. Dark Bubbles stars off with a little lo-fi guitar melody mixed with the soft whimper of a flute. But out of the blue, just like that, synth-mania whisks its way in and flies around, as it continuously buzzes in your ears. Okay. Your ears are now bleeding with pleasure, it's time to relax, with Twin Of Myself. When I said 'relax', i meant just a little. It's still got the distant but cool drum-loop keeping it afloat, the warped vocals, and yes, the synthy-goodness. Only this time, the melody is super happy. After that, you sink even lower into your beanbag chair as the soft and even more laid-back Gold Splatter comes on (how is it possible?). This one's even got strings! (by that I mean the synthesizer playing the violin and such), and the soft echo of the tippy-tops of a distant piano. How could it possibly get any better? The next track Iron Lemonade answers that question (did I mention they have just the most awesome song names?). With an even heavier drum beat, a gong-like thing on every 1st beat, and the "nah-nah's". Can't beat that, right? Basically sounds like it should be named Electronic March in E. Nah, I like the original name. Next we have Tooth Decay, with a similar drum-beat leading the way, and the perfect melody. The kind of melody that makes you want to eat bags and bags of candy, and make your Teeth Decay (nudge nudge). Also, the 'synthetic voice' of lead-singer Tobacco really adds to it. If you're one of those boring people who don't like too much excitement, and aren't liking the album so far, maybe Fields Are Breathing will cheer you up. It's one of those laying-in-the-grass songs, but honestly, it's a bit too much like other previous songs on Eating Us. Smile The Day After Today has pretty much the same feel to it, maybe just a tad more changed-up, if you know what I mean. The next song entitled The Sticky, is like a flashback to the good-ol'-times, back when Dandelion Gum came out. I don't really know how to explain, maybe if you've listened to their earlier albums, you'd catch my drift. I guess overall it's more lo-fi, which is always fun. Unfortunately, the song is kind of a let-down when it abruptly ends 2 minutes in. Bubblegum Animals is even more disappointing, as it ends at 1:40. American Face Dust is also pretty average. An average melody, average lyrics ("change is the thing that is what we do, change is the change that is changing you").
So basically, it's safe to say that half way through, it goes a little downhill. Like 5 or 4 fillers, and 6 or 7 amazing songs. They could have put a little more effort into it. 7 out of 10 stars.
Click here to see the music video for Born on a Day the Sun Didn't Rise (WARNING: Quite violent).



-Julian