My Name Is Music is a band that is about to make the leap to the top. With their debut album “Revolution”, the Viennese duo stirred up a lot of dust, not only in this country. The legendary John Peel Radio Sessions, for instance, already announced that My Name Is Music will be the next big sensation from Austria. With their new album “We are Terrorists” (Pate Records), My Name is Music once again offers a raw, rousing version of rock music in the tradition of bands like the White Stripes, Ting Tings, The Kills and Blood Red Shoes.
“Less is more” could be the motto of My Name is Music. A guitar, a bass and drums are enough for Phoebe Hall and Niki Altmann to realize their very own refreshing version of rock music. The music echoes so raw and energetic from the speakers, as if it were all coming directly from a garage. In general, no one could tell that My Name Is Music is an Austrian band, one would be inclined to say: “They sound so international, they must come from an English-speaking country.” If any electronic gadgets are involved, these are used very discreetly. The songs rather breathe the spirit of punk and celebrate indie rock of the more rebellious sort. Jointly responsible for this influence is singer Phoebe Hall, who knows how to pitch the coolness factor of the music with her extraordinary expressive and multifaceted voice.
Although the stylistic ingredients of the songs remain the same throughout the album, “We are Terrorists” presents itself extremely diverse and varied. Real blasts like “I don’t need your sympathy”, “Paralysed by you” or “Pop is dead” are just as well represented on the album as well as catchy sing-along pop pearls like “All of my bunnies” or beautiful ballads, liberated from all mainstream clichés, like “Little Girl”. Particularly impressive is the ease with which My Name Is Music master the balancing act between sophistication on the one hand and radio capability on the other.
In summary, one can say that after their impressive debut “Revolution”, My Name Is Music have come up again with an extremely strong piece of music. Phoebe Hall and Niki Altmann obviously have learnt their lesson in Indie Rock. “We are Terrorists” is fun to listen to and keeps you craving for more.
Photo My Name Is Music: mariusart 2011