Marriage + Cancer: Demonstrations II EP [Album Review]

Marriage + Cancer
Demonstrations II EP
Self-Released [2016]

Fire Note Says: Marriage + Cancer have had a complete sound overhaul.

Album Review: I have been a longtime follower of Robert Komets’ music. His Nucular Aminals’ albums and the earlier versions of Marriage + Cancer were some wonderfully off beat, sometimes goofy, sometimes dour, but always catchy listens. Komets has since given Marriage + Cancer a complete overhaul and now has emerged as a very pissed off band.

The vocals are raspy with rage and frustration. The music just pummels you with its edgy post-rock sound. Demonstrations II has a nervous and dangerous energy throughout its six tracks. It makes me wonder if the state of things in the U.S. and the world has got under Robert’s and the rest of the band’s skin.

Cannot say that I blame them, there is a lot of shit not right in world, and while I rather enjoy this EP, it is just rather shocking to hear Marriage + Cancer morph into this blistering and caustic group. Fans of the raw sound of Nirvana’s In Utero will love this, especially if you appreciate the relentlessness of “Scentless Apprentice,” “Radio Friendly Unit Shifter”, and “Tourette’s”.

My favorite track, “Putting Lipstick on a Pig” finds a bit of balance between all the discord and adds a wonderful bit of nervous jangle rock towards the end. A bit more of that would have been welcome, but this is coming from a fan of the older, more pop, Komets’ material.

Overall, after my initial shock wore off, I came to enjoy Demonstrations II for what it is. Artists need to stretch and expand past what they and their fans think they can do. Marriage + Cancer have done that. It is heavy, noisy and a real kick in the groin but it makes for a great listen after dealing with the daily drudge or watching too much cable TV news.

Key Tracks: “Command + Comply” / “Putting Lipstick on a Pig” / “Flora + Fauna”

Artists With Similar Fire: Pissed off Nirvana / Bitches / Girl Band



Marriage + Cancer Website
Marriage + Cancer Facebook

– Reviewed by Daniel Taylor

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Daniel Taylor

Photographer/journalist for the U.S. Navy for 26 years. Music fan since forever. Music really hit him in the early 90’s when he heard the Pixies’ Doolittle LP. After that came Pavement and then Guided by Voices. His love for those bands formed his taste in music and he continues to search for that musical “high” today. Married for 18 years and currently lives in Japan.

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