By Alex Pearson
Leeds duo, Menace Beach are back with their second album ‘Lemon Memory’. Liza Violet and Ryan Needham were picked up over two years ago before releasing their debut album ‘Ratworld’, which was released almost two years to the day had rocked the music community being regarded rising superstars. And their second album is no different.
Even in an era in which 90s revivalism is the default mode, Ratworld, the debut album from Leeds sort-of-supergroup Menace Beach, felt particularly beholden to its influences: Dinosaur Jr, Pavement, Galaxie 500 et al.
First track ‘Give Blood’ hooks you instantly with their profound alt rock sound. Loud guitar riffs stay on the fast side, and this works well for the group. Ryan Needham’s distorted vocals sounds great sliding over the fast paced rhythms of songs. Introvert of lyric, the track combines pin-point guitar lines with some elegant, uplifting electronics.
At its heaviest, on the Sabbath riffs of ‘Can’t Get A Haircut’, ‘Lemon Memory’ rides on an organ and a slow groove to an enjoyable effect, exploring the contrast between Violet’s reverberated beauty and Needham’s buzz.
Later, ‘Sentimental’ and ‘Suck It Out’ continue at this lightning pace, but there’s more authority here than there was before. Where Ratworld mostly offered the sticky and sweetened, Lemon Memory is different and a little more angry.
On ‘Darlatroid’ we’re treated to lo-fi guitar lines and slumping, sad words like “I can’t even figure out if I’m lonely”, while ‘Owl’ has Violet pushing her vocals to blissful heights, the band leaning into the dark side of their music while maintaining a twinkling desire to scratch out riffs. It’s an unusual tune for them that nonetheless speaks to their willingness to do things differently this time around.
Final track, ‘Hexbreaker II’, Violet once again leading the band into clattering, curious territory, the gentle clash of hers and Needham’s songwriting styles allowing real sparks to fly in apocalyptic fashion.
Make sure you catch Menace Beach on their album tour!
