Review
The Bellicose Minds
The Spine

Black Water (2013) Jon E.

The Bellicose Minds – The Spine cover artwork
The Bellicose Minds – The Spine — Black Water, 2013

Whole genres are made off the backs of originators. Sometimes these genres become forgotten for awhile or just bogged down with repetition and simplicity. Every once in awhile a band sheds mere aping to become something interesting, yet familiar. Something clearly within genre stereotypes but with their own sense of interpretation. The Bellicose Minds are one of those on the interesting side. While darkwave, goth rock, or any of their conjunctions is nothing new at this point (nor is chasing Joy Division’s shadow for that matter), the Bellicose Minds bring their own little splash to the formula on their first full-length. 

The dark shadows, heavy bass, jittery drums, and monotone vocals are certainly all present. Somehow even with all of these things something feels different with this record. From the more rugged texture to the songs and the little punk touches at moments nothing feels entirely in the realm of copycatting. 

From the genre signifiers you could gather whether you would like this album or not. What can be confidently said by anyone is that The Bellicose Minds feel and sound entirely comfortable with what they do and make it sound more original than most of the bands that share their style.

8.0 / 10Jon E. • May 19, 2014

See also

bellicoseminds.bandcamp.com

The Bellicose Minds – The Spine cover artwork
The Bellicose Minds – The Spine — Black Water, 2013

Related news

A389 signs The Bellicose Minds from Portland

Posted in Labels on July 23, 2013

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

The Cure

Songs of a Lost World
Capitol, Fiction, Lost Music, Polydor/Universal (2024)

It's been sixteen years since The Cure released their last album. I don't know if anyone really knew what to expect, but it's one of the most influential bands in history so expectations were high. The Verdict? Those expectations were met. It'd be silly to say Songs of a Lost World is a "return to form" as the band and … Read more

City Mouse

So Far Out
Brassneck Records, It's Alive (2024)

There are few bands that hit with the mix of raw emotion and musical talent as a live City Mouse show. There are even fewer bands that can capture that live feeling on a record. It’s been a long 7 years since Get Right, but So Far Out keeps it moving as if no time has passed. Of course, the … Read more

Machine Girl

MG Ultra
Future Classic (2024)

Ideally, I would be a bit more interested in art. In visual art- paintings, sketches, MS Paint monstrosities- whatever. I wish I knew more about the meaning of a brush stroke or even had the desire to know more about the meaning of a brush stroke. I spend a lot of time listening to music and, subsequently, I see a … Read more