Medusa
Headcase’s Handbook
Cyberpunk Records
2014
Medusa is a 3 member rock/punk rock band from the UK. On their two previous albums they were highly influenced by the similar sounding bands of the 80s. That influence has been toned down a bit in their new release “Headcase’s Handbook”, leaving just a little more space for a more contemporary sound.
What can I say about this album? Is it great? No. The tracks are all actually decent, but you get the feeling you’re listening to the demo of a college band. The compositions are kinda basic, the lyrics are kinda juvenile, and the production sound is flat at times. Having said that I don’t think that anyone would argue that “Headcase’s Handbook” also kinda rocks.
That’s the thing, “Headcase’s Handbook” is not the sort of record you’ll fall in love with, but it’s not the sort you can’t stand either. I mean it has its share of unfortunate moments, like the “raw power attempts” in “Sid and Nancy” that end up sounding like each member of the band is confused about what the other is playing, or like all the high-pitched screaming vocal parts in pretty much every song (take the chorus from “Luxury Crisis” or the whole of “Black Snow” for example), which sound a bit forced and cheesy. But on the other hand, you also have the earnest and vaguely rocking stuff like “Lip Service”, “Lydia” and “Call of the Abyss”. While none of those tracks can be regarded as an anthem, they’re nevertheless good tracks.
To cut a long story short, you can download “Headcase’s Handbook” from Medusa’s bandcamp page for free, so why not listen to it? It probably won’t change your life, but I think you’ll have a good time with it.
What can I say about this album? Is it great? No. The tracks are all actually decent, but you get the feeling you’re listening to the demo of a college band. The compositions are kinda basic, the lyrics are kinda juvenile, and the production sound is flat at times. Having said that I don’t think that anyone would argue that “Headcase’s Handbook” also kinda rocks.
That’s the thing, “Headcase’s Handbook” is not the sort of record you’ll fall in love with, but it’s not the sort you can’t stand either. I mean it has its share of unfortunate moments, like the “raw power attempts” in “Sid and Nancy” that end up sounding like each member of the band is confused about what the other is playing, or like all the high-pitched screaming vocal parts in pretty much every song (take the chorus from “Luxury Crisis” or the whole of “Black Snow” for example), which sound a bit forced and cheesy. But on the other hand, you also have the earnest and vaguely rocking stuff like “Lip Service”, “Lydia” and “Call of the Abyss”. While none of those tracks can be regarded as an anthem, they’re nevertheless good tracks.
To cut a long story short, you can download “Headcase’s Handbook” from Medusa’s bandcamp page for free, so why not listen to it? It probably won’t change your life, but I think you’ll have a good time with it.