Timesaver. Price

In my review of the second single from Timesaver, 'Mute City', the 10th and last song on the album, I wrote that I did not know whether a whole album in this style would interest me enough to sit through it. The surprise of Timesaver presents me with, in the face of that question, could not be bigger. Price sets off on a musical adventure right with the first notes and does not stop surprising until 'Mute City' begins. A song that will surprise listeners not familiar with it some more, I promise.

No, rest assured, there's no take on hip hop or opera. Price plays variations of alternative rock or indie, but including so many styles that each next song can be something completely different within that confine. To give some examples on that musical adventure. Let's start with how the opening song of the album sounds. I will not go as far and call it grunge, but Smashing Pumpkins of the mid 90s is certainly no unknown band to the members of Price. The dark, sludgy guitar that drags itself through the chord sequence of 'Remains Of Dwellings' would not have been out of place on 'Gish' and 'Siamese Dream'. Neither is the style of singing. At the same time the lead guitar has a lighter sound, making it a Price song. Some opening song 'Remains Of Dwellings' is. Anyone not liking this style will be gone within a minute if not sooner. The rest is licking their fingers. The song is that good.

The first single 'Medic' is an erratic affair in line with a, now ex, band like Canshaker Pi. The song is fun, danceable and has this alternative edge in the verses and a giant chorus where the band goes full out. The alternative melody, that runs on two guitars playing off each other, works really well here and is well crafted. It gives the band a punky touch as well. A nice spike in the mix that is added.

The switch to the title song could not be much greater. An acoustic guitar, a vocal drenched in a large bathroom surrounding. It takes the album in a totally different direction, as if there's no band around singer Marnix Visscher, also of Korfbal and Fisscher Price. That changes fast in song four, 'Walker'. That mix of Smashing Pumpkins and Price reemerges, giving the song that touch of darkness and light again. Like Billy Corgan's band Price finds the melody in the wall of sound, but finds the light more easily and is able to make it shine much better.

Song number 5 'Manic-Beat' journeys to the 60s with a dash of psychedelia and that old electric organ sound. The guitars are more modern in sound, creating a nice hybrid of styles. The singing remains in this indirect, dreamy style that goes well with all styles on the album and is part of Price's sound.

The Groningen based band calls its music kaleidoscopic, taking the listener on a trip through the history of music. I could not describe it better, so won't try to. I have given my impression of the album in the above. There are five more songs, including the surprising 'Mute City', that fit the bill just as well. Timesaver is an incredibly good and varied album. Just don't expect anything that is cleaned up after the musicians went home. This music is of the what you hear is what you get kind. In your face mostly and sometimes just a little less so. As I started out with, Timesaver is a musical adventure. You've received your roadmap in the above, so off you go. Enjoy!

Wo.

You can order the album here:

https://subroutine.nl/

or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g