Man/Woman/Chainsaw
Review by Max Preston-Hood
Edited by Sophia Clements
Man/Woman/Chainsaw is a band that has mesmerised me recently. I saw a live video recording of them at the Windmill in London playing a beautiful part of their song Only Girl – a majestic violin enchanted me into looking into them, and I found my personal on-loop favourite song for the past month Ode to Clio, which I am begging you to give a listen. The band has recently released an album called Cannonball, a breathtaking listen and one I can't wait to dive into.
The first song is the one that started it all for me, Only Girl. It slides in with a slither of violin that coils around you and keeps you tucked in tight. The piano sets an amazing groove and combined with the strings, it creates an orchestra of sound, lifting you and transcending you far away. The lyrics speak of being wrapped around someone's words and promises, not caring if they lie to you, just hoping that you’re their special someone. Beautiful song.
Next up is Canyons. This one feels more theatrical, like a letter. The guitar warps and throws us into a spiral with a gentle build-up, going back and forth with the lyrics, “It happens all the time / I lose myself where I have lived before.” It leads into plucking a Nine Inch Nails metallic sound of grinding metal. The song drops into a change, the guitar wrapping around us again, begging with a march of frustration and pain behind each lyric. You feel it digging into your soul; the real the anguish behind trying to patch things up with someone: “I tried to call you / I tried to make it work.”
Goddamn, Lizard Man! Kick it off with an intro of spring and chaos like that of Anyone Can Play Guitar by Radiohead (Maybe a bit of Buckethead if you’re feeling adventurous). The rocking backwards and forwards of this track flows throughout. Aspects of country linger like a screwed version of blues.
Lighter taps in with a soft touch, reminiscent of classical. Utilising a warm, gentle guitar and piano, the song coddles you in a comforter of love and safety. This affirmation feels like a fairy tale, you sense that each lyric is spoken with meaning that seeps into your ears and chest. This love is one that provides makes the artists “whole life lighter” - something we all hope to find.
The most noticeable track of this album, Nosedive... a perfect blend of a six-piece, all parts building a beautiful symphony. The violin is especially distinct on this track as well as the vocals – “Up on top of / what you thought of / hold it for now / I’ll go without.” It feels like the end of a coming-of-age film where everyone gets a happy ending and goes their separate ways. This song is a feel-good hopecore piece, one I can’t wait to see live.
Get Up and Dance. This song has a long introduction with an alien type of sound to begin with leading into some gentle acoustic guitar, rocking to and fro with the bass setting a solid pace behind it. Vocals glide over the song until a drum builds up, graciously guiding the song upwards until it kicks into a more rock headbanging beat of complexity and pirate-esque string style. Get Up and Dance is a song that builds momentum and leads into a chaotic dance for those who wish to spin.
Snakebite is a shorter track but one of my personal favourites. It speaks to a part of us that we all wish we could vocalise. A question of wondering whether you still matter to someone arises... do they still think of you in the places you went? ”My picture in your wallet / do you still carry it?” A lovely song with a sombre introduction, leading into a romantic plea. The drums blend so nicely for this song, adding a lovely swell of emotion like waves hitting a shore.
Flick of the Wrist is a different song from the rest up. The singer switches to a very new tone. It feels sort of Bossa Nova with an edgy flair. The vocals are masculine, giving texture and personality to the lyrics. The start-stop action of violin adds flavour and spice, as well.
The Thing starts off with a chug then a powerful kick into a guitar, chaos with a symbol clash keeping the pace. Shorting into the long, this slashing symbol is isolated with some backing and main vocals – “and it ain't a thing to me / it ain't a thing to me / another man.” It really feels like a powerful moment before leading into a mad blend of instruments. The tension is wonderfully palpable.
Still Angry. A guitar picking opens the song with some vocals. Again, Man/Woman/Chainsaw toy with layers of complexity, rising into a hopeful array of sound. A lovely song bringing us to an experimental choir of emotions. It speaks of frustration and, believe it or not, anger.
Something Else to Give is the last track of this amazing album, a head-nodding groove starting things off. The vocals overlay with some chirping violin and light guitar, crafting this oxymoron of a happy but sorrowful tune. It feels like saying goodbye. There's hints of synths throughout the track, really adding to the depth. About 3:15 minutes into the track, everything becomes layered and combines into a noisy goodbye, then with a gentle wave of reverberation the album comes to a close
Cannonball is a must listen for those willing to take a dive into the new experimental South London scene. These are raw, unfettered truths of relationships and yearning poured into the musical notes, beautiful and resonant. This album is everything I aspire to achieve as a musician. You can see Man/Woman/Chainsaw live in Brighton at the upcoming event at Concord 2 on the September 30th.