Lobotomy Baby

Somewhere between Radiohead and Korn lies Lobotomy Baby, brainchild of Daniel Speaks. He has just released a new seven song EP entitled Baby, It's a Violent World, as a free download online.

"Intro To Jonestown," the album's premiere track, kicks off with some light guitars reminiscent of Radiohead's OK Computer before bringing in some deep, pulverizing guitar riffs that can be held up to the rage and power felt in Korn's Untouchables. The mixture of these styles actually works out quite well, and really pulls the listener into Speaks' "Violent World." The song has no vocals except for a sample of some sort of paranoid monologue which closes the track.

The album flows right into "The Villain", which consists of Thom Yorke-style vocals sung over another heavy, angst-filled guitar riff. The beat evokes a feeling of suspense, which is satisfied by the distortion-heavy solo halfway through the song. The pace suddenly changes one we reach track three, "Seconds of Sorrow." Calm guitar, light drums, and even a synthesized string section to carry the song swiftly through its break-up letter lyrics ("you've got a huge crown/but you're no queen/can you sense the real me?/ for such a collector, you sure throw a lot of things away"). Despite the pain expressed in the lyrics, the tune is actually quite positive, as if the singer is glad to finally get these feelings off of his chest.

The next track, "Sunlight" is a nice, calm instrumental that would easily compliment a windows-down drive on a warm afternoon. This is followed by "Entitlement," a track which begins very quietly, laying out a distant sound to set the mood for what is about to come. The beat kicks in, and a couple short verses are sung before fading into an instrumental hazy reverie. "Dream Chaser" continues the calmness, but this time features heavily distorted vocals, making them sound as if they are being sung from a left behind walkie-talkie; sad and hopeful that someone will listen. We are then brought to the closing track, which is fairly titled, "A Beautiful Ending." It builds slowly but smoothly, adding some vocals, beats, and guitars to the original lone piano track. It is an explosive finale, and definitely the most varied track on the record.

Overall, while I would have liked to hear more of the heaviness that was featured in the first two tracks, this is a solid release packed with some real emotion. Lobotomy Baby manages to draw from elements of songs that feel familiar while adding a new hint of flavor to the mix.

Go download your copy of Baby, It's a Violent World for FREE at http://lobotomybaby.bandcamp.com