Twisterbait
Twister One (2001)

review by: Michael Walls
Date: 3/28/02

God, I miss the late 80's alternative scene. The Cure, The Psychedelic Furs, Iggy Pop, The Talking Heads, U2, XTC, INXS, Twisterbait.

Twisterbait? Actually, Twisterbait is a new alternative rock/pop/funk outfit out of London that is reviving that alternative sound that we fell in love with during the late 80s.

I can't really nail down a particular "sounds like" comparison for this group, because each song on their CD, Twister One, has a different feeling, a different sound, a different mood. But the common trend running through each track is a huge influence by those groundbreaking bands of what became known as "alternative music".

I for one love it. I grew up on alternative and miss having something new. The last thing I wanna hear on the radio is another Nirvana/Pearl Jam wannabe band. Nickelback? Creed? Staind? Come on. The grunge movement is over. The 90's are over. It's time to cycle back. Let's break out the keyboards.

I've been listening to Twisterbait for about a month now, and I've really enjoyed this CD. A completely original collection of songs, using some heavy keys, percussion and unique vocals that I haven't heard since the days of Thomas Dolby and Wall of Voodoo. I'm thinking about breaking out my box of mixed tapes from college.

One song in particular I've played repeatedly is a tune called "Hardcore Clerical". Sort of a "Another Brick in the Wall" for today's office zombies. A theme song for the white collar crowd. Great tune.

Some other standouts include "Rocket Slowing Down", a great acoustic guitar piece, "Get On Our Bus", a super-funkadelic tune that you'll play two or three times in a row, "Comfort Zone" and "Convulsions".

Currently, the only place to get this CD is from their website, www.twisterbait.com (via MP3.com). And at $7.98, you can't beat it. You'll thank me when it's being sold a Tower Records for $18.95 in the near future.