Art vs Science - The Experiment (Album)
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In a way, it’s hard to believe that The Experiment should be the debut album from Sydney-siders Art Vs Science. It seems like there’s been hype aplenty for so long. In fact, the trio have enjoyed a special kind of limelight since their formation in 2008, their brand of dance-punk poaching audiences both here and abroad. So far it’s been a wild ride, with EPs, ARIA nominations and a couple of big singles to the band’s name. But how do the band fare in replicating such success throughout this, their first full-length release?
The record’s first impressions can best be described as formidable, Finally See Our Way rocking out with emphatic brilliance. When its chorus hits, its as if the band shifts its decibel output into overdrive, a swift and powerful introduction. Take A Look At Your Face continues their imposing form, the sinister club trip professing a relentlessly grotty guitar line. Its follow-up, A.I.M. Fire, seems destined for attention. Three songs in it’s pretty clear what the band wishes for The Experiment: its a frenzied record, both assertive and explosive across the majority of its offerings. Art Vs Science sound like a band aware of their raison d'être, ever-purposeful with the explicit intent to evoke messy festival euphoria. Over and over, layers upon layers of fuzzy, dizzying effects work in unison towards a coarse dance-party aesthetic.
Even more pleasingly, when Art Vs Science aren’t all heavy-handed beats and synthesisers, it works just as well. With Thoughts is an outstanding addition to the album, a tender Dan McNamee encouraging “Keep on thinking beautiful,” in a perfectly placed interlude. It works to demonstrate a new, welcome dimension of the band’s repertoire.
The Experiment isn’t perfect, however. There are some tracks that appear misguided and ultimately grating. Magic Fountain has potential, but the inclusion of a naff spoken-word narrative kills the track completely. Meanwhile, the insufferable throbbing of Bumblebee - the word itself voiced with Cartoon-Network-like charisma over and over again - equates to 3:39 of your life that you won't get back. Unbelievably, it seems to recall elements of Hocus Pocus’ Here’s Johnny. That, as you may well know, can’t be a good thing. But these are minor quibbles, especially when The Experiment quickly recovers. Its finale, Before You Came To This Place, loses some the album’s previous bite, trading it in for a pleasant disco tinge.
Overall, it’s safe to declare The Experiment a success. However, buyer beware: you have to know what you’re in for. This is the debut from Art Vs Science - it was always going to be big, chaotic and bear a certain crazy charm. No, it’s not a particularly mysterious or surprising release and it won't tantalise those ear drums in need of fresh ideas. But then, that’s hardly the point. The Experiment is just a whole lot of fun. That might not be enough for some, but The Experiment's simple yet effective brief as a restless floor-filling hit factory looks poised to stir much within the rest of us.
