The Martians – “First Encounter”
The Martians are not a band but creatures from another galaxy. They were sent here to take over our planet and turn us into robotic slaves only interested in material gain.
And they found out that we were already at that state so they decided to write some songs instead.
No- scratch that. They are from our galaxy. Extraterrestrial beings who can control our minds and make us think that we are the exalted creatures on this planet, while we do our utmost to cause its’ demise.
No- that can’t be. Let’s try this.
They’re from North Reading, which might as well be Mars, and though, I’m quite uncertain about their intentions…I know they’ve produced this year, two potent EP’s- filled to the brim with pure pop/punk perfection. And now, they’ve sent us this full album, this full release. This official representation of how they sound, what they feel, what they want us to feel and experience.
Well, I’m having none of this.
This is merely a ploy. To lure us in with their punk rock rama-lama and then lay upon us a full album of intelligent, well-crafted pop songs- Yes, I said pop songs. The kind that Blondie played when they still had some guts.
I still recall them- well, not really. But I can sense that those who do, also sense that this is some mighty, heapin’, sweaty swarm of music you need to fulfill your fulfillment in our everlasting move towards becoming robotic automatons for the corporate demi-gods who rule over us.
Yes, I would like a Walgreen’s/ Target/ McDonald’s latte, please- while we listen.
“Tonight I’m gonna strangle you/ tonight your face is turning blue.” With a drumbeat that wants to outrace the music if it can, a melodic guitar lick that is pure gold (instead of the earwax I can see clearly in your ears), “Strangle You” is the typical love song moved forward a few places in the relationship where “I want to kiss you” is replaced with “kill” instead. “Roses are red and violets are blue/ Tonight I’m gonna strangle you/ In the backseat of a Buick ’92.” I don’t know if the protagonist fulfills his promise. I just know the song fulfills it’s promise to be superb.
“She Was Mine,” starts off with a pleasant vocal introduction only to be marred by some shocking profanity. But it is then consoled with a moderate, rockin’ beat and a chiming, merry-go-round, Asian-like guitar lick. Then a fifties chord progression tags the heartache and pain of innocent love lost. “When she left she took my heart/ and ever since we’ve been apart/ Crying in my beer…Every day reminds me of her.” This is a song that wears its heart on its sleeve, puts a melodic hook in your ears and lays one pure teardrop in your soul.
“Go” is another fifties/sixties influenced pop song played like Blondie in their prime and resulting in a great song bursting with energy, wit, passion and fun.
“J.A.R” is taken at a more groove orientated pace and is quite unlike anything they’ve done. “But then I see I’m mortal, too/ And I can’t live my life like you/ Gotta live it up while life goes on.” This song has an early Boston punk/garage vibe to it, a wonderful guitar line sprouting up from its center and makes me want to write that, it’s my favorite song on the album. “The things I value in my heart,” should be song like this.
“I Don’t Wanna Party” is from an earlier EP and rightly, one of their most popular tunes. It starts with another excellent, melodic guitar line that wouldn’t be out of place on any early English pop/punk classic. Though it’s about a fellow bummed out and would “rather sit at home in his underwear,” this song is an exuberant celebration of life with energy and passion expressed in each and every second of this great song.
“Missing Time,” also from an earlier EP, explodes with accelerating drums, a great,bell like guitar line that eventually, turns into a heartfelt, Replacements like love song. “I don’t want to do nothing/ Unless it’s doing nothing with you.” But soon followed with, “I think it’s time we stopped it/ And I think I’ve fuckin’ lost it/ And I’m trying to say I’m reeling.” Later there’s a spoken word part, “Looking back, now, I realize that time isn’t missing. But it is time, I would like to have back.” But I guarantee you won’t regret a moment, a second of hearing this near perfect song.
This album has a U.F.O. theme to it. “Not Alone,” “Roswell, NM,” “Spaceman,” ectcetera.
And a great songwriter in Calzone, with some of the best guitar licks this side of The Buzzcocks by Hoodoo, aided by the the excellent rhythm guitar of Ryan and the propulsive, pushing, over the top drumming of London. This is a recipe for some great punk rock songs.
These Martians might feel strange to you, like they’re from another planet. Well, let me tell ya- they are out of this world. And what’s more important to me is that- they are one of my favorite bands playing some of their best songs.
And what they bring to this planet is sadly, scarce. They bring realness, truth, good fun and crazy passion; along with joy, heartache and thoughtfulness. All arriving in pure pop/punk rockin’ form.
And for that we should surrender to them, all you own. Or at least, give them full use of your ears. Embrace the inevitable presence of these purveyors of pop/punk perfection, ploppin’ their hot new platter, precariously on this putrefying planet for us to pontificate upon.
It’s no secret- The Martians have arrived!
(Slimedog)
