It’s a great pleasure to be talking about Roz Raskin and the Rice Cakes. Having talked about their EP last year, Feel Like Human, we are finally excited to see that they’ve put out an album. And just like their EP, this short, 6-track album has the same Roz Raskin and the Rice Cakes sound. And it also helps that Roz Raskin is the finest Heebee female singer we’ve ever met. Their alt/indie sound is perfect for the Providence, RI music scene. Introducing:
Monster Man.
Before I go into nitty gritty details, make sure you watch the new music video for their single (Also, EAST COAST tour dates below):
Since Monsterman is a concept album, you are required to listen all the way through. I know. It sounds like a chore. But it isn’t, and if you stick it through you will be pleasantly surprised.
The album begins with Monster, an opening track with a lot of eerie noises. The soundtrack, of course, to some sort of horror/monster movie. It then quickly moves to a short but loud song Hate, which reminded me of a a grittier, less-produced Metric, with some Dresden Doll keyboards to match. Hate sounds exactly like you would expect it to, and the listener is left feeling sympathetic for this “Monster Man”, who has been shunned by society.
Gore is a slower, sadder track, and shows off some of Roz Raskin’s finest vocals, or atleast her prettiest ones. The harmony in this song works especially well (although the harmonies is fabulous throughout the album), and the song has a scaled-down early Death Cab For Cutie feel. But like any cycle of emotions, sadness and depression eventually turns to rage. This is where Magma the album’s single comes in. Magma shows off some impressive tribal drumming beats and melodious harmonies to hold down the album. The song ends with this vision in mind: Our defeated Frankenstein-esque monster, beaten, broken, and emotionally despondent. The world has abandoned this misunderstood, troubled creature.
Finally, the album ends with two more songs. With a Monster Man is a much slower-tempo track in contrast to Magma, and is the ‘redemption song’ on the album. All seems lost for the Monster Man, but he refuses to give up. It is definitely the ‘prettiest’ song on the album, and has a calmer pace. And just like Gore, this song has the ‘light indie rock’ feel. The album ends with Everyone, a closing track that ties up the album quite nicely. Guitar picking and driving drums bring this wonderful album to close, and leave you wanting to see this trio live. Which you should, because their stage presence is fucking incredible. TOUR DATES BELOW, but some dates have changed.
We give Monster Man 4 Halls out of 5 Oates.
If you want to buy the album digitally, buy it on iTunes.
Make sure to “LIKE” them on FACEBOOK.
