Make It Pop!
2003
Another record that harkens back to my early explorations in music. This album always reminds me of an argument that it incited between a good friend, Chris, and Steve. Steve had us listen to this post hardcore record and Chris was slightly annoyed that Steve loved this album but not Disturbed’s new record, Believe. Make It Pop! may be a generally hard hitting affair but the comparisons that can be drawn between the two albums end there.
Giddy Motors has some readily apparent influences. Most notably, the raving derelict vocals, jagged drum chops and dissonant strumming often evoke thoughts of The Jesus Lizard. Personally, I don’t believe Giddy Motors owes anything to their predecessors as they’ve accomplished something on their own merit. The band manages to meld the power of punk, universality of pop and the intricacy of jazz all with an undeniable manic energy. Impressively, none of these juxtapositions feel forced or unnatural. My favorite part of Giddy Motors is probably the unstable, primal vocals of Gaverick de Vis. Make It Pop! finds him whispering as well as letting loose throat-shredding screams and sometimes these are in succession. At various points on the album the percussion and bass lines are the only things keeping this record from going into complete disarray at the hands of de Vis.
Make It Pop! begins with a drum roll and Gaverick de Vis already starting with his maniacal war cries in the background. “Magmanic” begins the album with a blistering attack and on the following track “Hit Cap” there is an addition of a saxophone and a more jazzy feel that culminates into an epic crescendo. “Bottle Opener” is a striking ramble with an infusion of funk. One of my favorite songs on the record, “Sassy” actually employs somewhat of a pop beat amidst its abrasive insanity. A bizarre finding is the quiet “Venus Medallist” amongst a collection of songs that are so willfully abrasive. This instrumental track actually has acoustic guitars and even a cello. But the album still manages to end with a glorious discord though it is with a reduced pace. Make It Pop! is incredibly ambitious and doesn’t outstay its welcome. It is brief, brutal and incredibly poignant with a coruscating (and yet bestial) style. Unfortunately, this album is still largely overlooked. -R.C.
By the time this album is finished, you’ll feel like you just attended the greatest basement concert of your life! The tracks on Make It Pop! are so infectious that I’m not sure a paraplegic could keep his body from moving while listening to them. And at just over a half an hour, there’s no exhausted feeling at any point on this record… just the listener begging Giddy Motors for more! - Phil
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