#cat temper

[titancores]

Casually seeking out tracks that are like Burning Bridges by Japan (the TV-men theme) but without the rubbish sax and vocals (that thankfully do not appear in episodes). So dark/spoopy synthwave, essentially.

I think Transfurmation by Cat Temper is a pretty good match, mood-wise.

[neonradiation]

Album Review: 'Nineteen Eighty-Fur' by Cat Temper

Key Quote: "The goal-posts have shifted once again in terms of songwriting and production, as well as videos and artwork "

Hot on the heels of last year's 'Mystic Kitten', comes a brand new 8-track release from the one and only Cat Temper.

1. Fur Warning

The epic other-worldly opener transports us to a Jean-Michel Jarre style alien landscape. This track builds beautifully using a strong repeating synth riff - we are on our way!

2. Take Your Whiskers Home

Something a little more light hearted and funkier for track 2. Riff after riff and hook after hook keep coming.

3. Pawnama

The slightly darker 'Pawnama' is track 3 and the the highlight for me here is the unusual bass which takes the lead in places. There's even a nod to the Spaghetti Westerns buried in here - blink and you'll miss it.

4. Happy Tails

Lead single from the album and if you've not seen the video for this, do so now. Ok done that? Good. The song (as well as the video) is inspired by 80s classic Synthpop tunes like Aha's Take On Me amongst others. A fine tribute.

5. Jamie's Meowin'

This one could be taken from the 'Drive' soundtrack. Think about driving through a neon lit cityscape. My personal favourite from this collection both musically and from the production and mixing perspective.

6. One Paw Out The Door

This could be part 2 of track 5 - a gear shift and we leave the city behind and down the open road. It has a more optimistic feel as a the new day dawns.

7. Women And Kittens First

Possibly the strongest intro on the album due to the killer synth riff and when the cow-bell comes in, I'm tapping my feet.

8. Purruption

The final song is slick and (quite annoyingly) the main riff stays with you long after it's finished.

In conclusion...

This isn't just another Cat Temper album, the goal-posts have shifted once again in terms of songwriting and production as well as videos and artwork.

Cat Temper Contact Details And Music Links:

Twitter: @cattempermeow

Album Spotify: Nineteen Eighty-Fur

Artist Spotify: Cat Temper

Bandcamp: Nineteen Eighty-Fur | Cat Temper (bandcamp.com)

Website: Cat Temper

[cattemper]

FURIO is available meow on vinyl and cat-sette! Cover design is an homage to Duran Duran's "Rio", the best album artwork of the 1980s. https://cattemper.bandcamp.com/album/furio

[mhisadj]

Cat Temper - Mew Religion

Off of Furio.

There’s a lot of love for Duran Duran’s ‘Rio’ album here, but these are not covers. Just really cool, synthy instrumentals, perfect for hitting that retro wave need in us all.

[kegoblocks-blog]

Cat Temper - Henry (2019)

[bizarrobrain]

"The Baby" by Cat Temper - From "Henry: An Electronic Soundtrack to Eraserhead" (2019)

[neonradiation]

Album Review: 'Mystic Kitten' by Cat Temper

Key Quote: "The production and mixing are absolutely spot-on and my headphones were loving the stereo FX sprinkled throughout".

The 8 track Mystic Kitten album released on 13-Oct-23 is, amazingly, the 4th long player in the last 2 years from Cat Temper. I’ve listened to the previous releases, so I was looking forward to hearing Mystic Kitten for the first time…

1. Welcome To My Nightmeow

Epic sounding drums start the proceedings before giving way to pulsing bass and guitar. This is one hook laden track and a fantastic opener to the album. 

2. Last Cat On Earth

This track has a more of a Moog-ish analogue feel to it and is perhaps less obviously cat-chy (damn! I've started with the puns) on the first listen, but this appeals to me more somehow.

3. Purranormal

This bass synth driven song again takes us in another funkier direction. This one is slightly less appealing to me than the previous two songs, maybe just down to its slower tempo.

4. House Of Fur

Some velvet sounding electric piano features heavily in this song as well some wonderful synth riffs. The song flies by and leaves me wanting more - rewind…

5. Hisslexia

The intro of this song is in my opinion just purr-fect (no going back now) and although the rest of the song doesn’t quite match up to it, luckily, we get glimpses of it again throughout.

6. Cat In A Dream

Another strong intro and this develops into a beautiful (and apt) dream-like landscape. The synth riffs have a slight chip-tune feel to them which is no bad thing.

7. Under My Paws

This one has a futuristic dystopian vibe about it, so is definitely in-keeping with the Synthwave genre rules. But perhaps the rules need to be broken every now and again?

8. Lace And Whiskers

The last song on the album picks up the baton where the previous one left off and goes one step darker still. It has cat-itude! (sigh). The cinematic feel to this song screams ‘movie soundtrack’ and I can visualise the end credits rolling to it…

Bad cat puns aside, this is a serious Synthwave album which I think nudges the genre along from the 80s to give some of the songs a more contemporary feel. Some, in my opinion, are crying out for a vocal melody top-line but others are perfect instrumental pop songs just as they are. The production and mixing are absolutely spot-on and my headphones were loving the stereo FX sprinkled throughout.

Well done to Mr. Cat Temper - another great album.

Cat Temper Contact Details:

Website: https://t.co/AZFE3kbouE

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cattempermeow

Bandcamp: https://t.co/fZ1DFuVziX

Spotify: https://t.co/0bBtcAP42L

[cattemper]

"Purradise By The Dashboard Light" from the album "Cat Out Of Hell" by Cat Temper. Animated by Jim Ether.