Midnight Juggernauts -Secrets Of The Universe

Mon 12th Jun, 2006 in Music Reviews

I am excited to receive a copy of Midnight Juggernauts’ new EP, Secrets of the Universe, as well as the standard press release. I ignore the press release with the determination to listen to the album, and evaluate the sound and direction of the band, keeping in mind their debut EP, Raised by Wolves.

Overall the five-track EP is a solid effort where each track shouts out: ‘Made by Midnight Juggernauts!’. The songs do not however sound identical, the tempo and pitch are varied, with Midnight Juggernauts revealing themselves through the constant, jerky momentum behind each tune, along with their repetitiveness of lyrics and hooks.

Secrets Of The Universe is not just a mere replication of their debut success. Their contemporaries and collaborators, The Presets (who remix track two) and Cutcopy, have particularly influenced their sound. Nonetheless, this is not a negative feature. The buoyancy of Cutcopy has shaped track five, 45 and rising. This is a track that could have been created by Parisian outfit, Daft Punk, but I’m glad to say that this Australian duo has beat them to it.

From a rock perspective, this EP is not as astounding as their debut release. Lacking in tunes like ‘Jump The Gun’ that were explosive, blunt, gritty and raw in that electronic kind of way. The standout track on this release by far is ‘Tombstone’. The deep, somewhat quivering vocals (albeit electronically enhanced) when singing, “Is it a tombstone?” and the repetitive beats are stripped back and simple. This monotony makes me crave a change in direction but I’m left stationary and at the beginning of the same loop (again). To my surprise, this effect works.

Having determined my perspective on the EP I allow myself to read the press release, and aren’t I glad I didn’t read it straight away. How am I to go past the inanity of the first abrupt sentence: “an electro-synth-rock assault poised before Armageddon”? Sure each song takes you on a small journey through a pulsating, optimistic land, but there is no climatic feat achieved like that of say, Television’s ‘Marquee Moon’. I understand these press releases must hype the band up, but I don’t believe they’re there to ruin the credibility of the musicians. The verbosity in Midnight Juggernauts’ case is not necessary, as their music engages the listener and speaks for itself. This fact leaves me as I began, excited about Secrets Of The Universe.