MARISA AND THE MOTHS ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’
Firstly, I’m a little late with this album review, with this album having been released on the 3rd of May. What I can say though since then is, after its first week of release, ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’ debuted at No.1 on the Rock Chart in the UK and this week, the band have managed to get their ‘Borderline’ song listed as ‘Track of the Week’ by Classic Rock Magazine. No mean feet for an independently released album and testament to the power of their devoted fanbase. More about that later.
In almost all reviews of this album there will be long passages dedicated to documenting the personal struggles and band splintering that have taken place between the release of the band’s debut album and the aptly titled ‘What doesn’t Kill You’. I’m not going to cover that again, other than to confirm that it’s no hype! And that for such a relatively young band, MATM are already establishing a (Pete Frame) family tree to rival the likes of Fleetwood Mac! All of which have provided Marisa Rodriguez with plenty of lived experience to sing with passion about.
The now established line up of the band are as stable as this band has ever been and seem genuinely committed to each other. Longtime bass stalwart Liam Barnes is a great talent in the band. Singer, bass player, guitar player. He and Marisa herself were among the first acts to fully embrace lockdown live experiences and that time, in retrospect, was so vital in building the hugely devoted following the band has gained.
Alez D’Elia has replaced the revolving door of female guitar players (which included Sophie Lloyd on the first record) and he fits perfectly. Alex Ribchester completes the band on drums. But make no mistake, Marisa herself is the star of the show here.
Marisa possesses a god given voice, reminiscent of Julianne Regan of All About Eve at times, although this is coincidental, as they were not a band Marisa listened to in her formative years. Musically the songs fit into the alt-rock category, I guess. There are as many Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkin influences here as well as other iconic bands from past history
‘Cursed’ opens the album, with Marisa’s haunting and misleadingly frail vocal, over piano and strings leading into the crushing rock of ‘Get It Off My Chest.
Throughout the album Marisa’s voice is just mesmerising, but in a forward move from the debut, the angst in the lyrics sees her able to move from frail to ferocious in a heartbeat. ‘Wither’ is Hole-style grunge, sung from experience. ‘Who Are You Waiting For’ is another highlight, but the biggest surprise shift from the style of the debut is ‘Devil’.
Another hugely personal lyric sees Marisa caress us and curse us with that voice, from the angelic to demonic death style screeches of emphasis. All while the band is given a huge production in what may be their most impressive song yet.
The band have been hitting the live circuit and seem to be making more new friends at every show. The band’s fanbase have funded the independently released album, made it debut at number 1 in the rock chart and now it’s time to take the band to the masses.
Marisa And The Moths deserve every second of success. They have MORE than earned it and are well worth your time to investigate.
Chris McGlyn | Now Spinning Magazine
