Kassassin Street - Moloko Vellocet EP Review
If you walk into a cocktail bar in London and ask for a “Moloko Vellocet" with a wink in your eye you may well be served a highly addictive (and very illegal) amphetamine laced drink.
Walk into a record store however and ask for “Moloko Vellocet" and you be served with something just as addictive but be warned there are side effects…..
You see Moloko Vellocet is the second EP released by Portsmouth based psychedelic rockers Kassassin Street and it does not fail to deliver.
The opening track “Play Dead" slowly brings the EP to life, the song progresses well and teases you with layers of instruments added one after another but are then taken away to leave you wanting more. The vocals and the guitar work in unison throughout much of the song and are accompanied by a excellent bass and drum undertone that pushes the track forward without the need for a definitive chorus. The track climaxes with excellent vocals by front man Rowan Bastable. They have almost a haunting feel to them as he shouts “Play Dead" over and over again.
The second track “Centre Straight Atom" is the centerpiece of the EP and is the best out of the three songs to feature on Moloko Vellocet. The track is kicked off by a arpeggiator that sounds like it could have been plucked from one of those classic Commodore 64 games that we all know and love. The bass and drums kick in shortly after followed by the opening lyric “I dont know who the hell you think you are, I dont know what your fighting for, so get out" sang in a vocal melody that you can relate to instantly. Even on the second listen you will find yourself singing along.
Unlike the previous track, Centre Straight Atom has a definitive chorus that acts like glue to your brains synapses. A prolonged opening vocal drowned in reverb towers above a guitar riff that steps aside from the vocal melody. The guitar and bass act as an undercurrent that is filled out again by an arpeggio that features so much in this song, and for good reason.
The final song on the 3 track EP is “Talk In Riddles". Utilizing the trademark style of Kassassin Street the song is built up gradually, carefully crafted and is not rushed. As in “Play Dead" the final third of the song is where the real hook lies. A driving drum beat and an almost dance like accompaniment makes “Talk In Riddles" a sure fire hit live.
Moloko Vellocet is priced at £5 and can be purchased from their website. If im being honest at that price i would maybe have liked a fourth track or even a live track to beef it out a little but the quality of the songs, especially “Centre Straight Atom" makes this EP to good to miss out on.
This EP was written by Scott Allport @allmusicuk - Presenter of The Unsigned Music Show.com. Submit your tracks today for a chance to be featured on the monthly podcast that plays the best of unsigned music from the UK.
Kassassin Street - Moloko Vellocet EP Cover