Saturday Destroyer
Little Lamb, 2018
9/10
A NYC outfit spearheaded by Shonali Bhowmik, Tigers & Monkeys bring pop, blues and garage rock into their exciting formula, and this 3rd album continues their glowing song craft that puts a unique twist on modern rock’n’roll.
“The Weekender” starts the listen with a rhythmic and lush approach to today’s version of indie-rock, and “Tiger On A Leash” continues the setting with a calmer approach as spirited guitars and soaring vocals punctuate the mood.
In the middle, “In An Instant” offers punchy and playful grooves while “Too Good To Forget” shuffles with a quick pace of highly melodic sensibilities that flirts with folk ideas. “Not Your Little Girl”, one of the album’s highlights, then finds plenty of rhythm amid riffs so contagious they linger long after the song ends.
Near the end, the title track finds a soulful place to reside with a cautious landscape as flutes and keys add much to the affair, and “Driver’s Seat” ends the listen with synth fun and fluid guitar work, as backing vocals complement the festivities.
A record that’s loose but precise, energetic but still willing to show restraint and flowing with creative songwriting, let’s hope that Tigers & Monkeys have something new on the horizon, cause Saturday Destroyer is one of the most interesting moments of indie-rock’s recent past.
Travels well with: Sloan- Commonwealth; Divine Fits- A Thing Called Divine Fits