More Vocoder Please.

There's a certain sense of mysteriousness that surrounds the Pennsylvania based Black Moth Super Rainbow. Maybe it's the fact that it's very rare to find a photo of the group where each member is clearly depicted. Perhaps it's due to no one really knowing what Tobacco's voice sounds like without a vocoder. Finally, maybe it's because no one knows the real names of the band members. Without a doubt, Black Moth Super Rainbow is one of the strangest musical groups around today. However, their abnormality does not hinder them from creating magical sounds.

The groups latest effort, Eating Us has received some mixed reviews. Some love the album, complimenting the bands progression with song writing, while others say they are growing tired of the vocoder's use as the staple component of the band's compositions. Personally, I think Eating Us is a step in the right direction for the group, a perfect illustration of how Black Moth Super Rainbow has progressed over the past four albums.

While listening to the album, it's apparent that the band decided to vary their instrumentation, including guitar and banjo rather than only utilizing the traditional synths. Along with the instrumentation, the band has also progressed with their songwriting, touching on what seem to be more serious issues.

While some may be growing tired of the constant use of the vocoder, I think Eating Us will be considered one of the best releases of 2009 based on the band's ability to balance their original sound with the new.

Listen to Black Moth Super Rainbow here:

http://www.myspace.com/blackmothsuperrainbow