Pumpkin Buzzard — Neuron Beast

“Neuron Beast” is another  derange, wonky & unwell multi genre mix of sonic styles from the mysterious ‘n’ unhinged US project Pumpkin Buzzard. And for  me this is one of their most rewarding/ re-playble releases thus far, as  it seems to balance almost perfectly the  projects quirkiness ‘n’ unease, with musical genre mix ‘n’ match, and song memorability.

The album features thirteen  tracks in all, and these last between just over the four minute mark to just over the five & half minute mark. As expected each track here darts ‘n’ mixes together all manner of musical fair in that wonky & slightly drunk manner that the project is known for. A few of my favourite moments come in the form of:  “Hot loneliness” with  it’s mixture of big beat pop electrionica, 80’s arcade sounds, roaming ‘n’ groovy  post punk 80’s bass lines, and a chorus that sounds like a more funked up ‘n’ drunk take on Taking Heads at their more memorable.  The lurching bass lined metal chug ‘ n’ slur meets 80’s broken pop beats & sinister deep robot chatter of “Hidden Teeth”. Or the  80’s synth string chop ‘n’ swirl meets darting post punk vibe of  “Turtle Party”  which from time to time suddenly slips into doomy minimalistic piano pitter patter. The deeply wonky ‘n’ wavering mix of 80’s plink-plonky synth ballard playing, meets wondering bass ‘n’ jittering keyboard pre-sets,  and almost-in-tune felt male vocalizing of the last track “Forgotten Door”. But really pretty much all of the tracks here are worthy in their  own unwell yet stick in your head way.

It’s a real pity that this project doesn’t get more praise and notice for it’s one off, quirky yet memorable take on musical genre mixing- because this is a great yet at times very odd ‘n’ wonky record. I can highly recommend this to those who enjoy the likes of Mr Bungle, The Residents, Fog, and Barnes & Barnes