SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PIPE-EYE – PIPE-DEFY

PIPE-EYE
PIPE-DEFY
P(DOOM) RECORDS

For those wishing to be consumed by the environment of an arcade and the atmosphere of the classic ‘80s scene, Pipe-eye’s newest album, Pipe-defy, can bring you there, but only temporarily. The desire to dance around any space you occupy is tamed through a tapping of the foot along to the beat, but as the album progresses one’s tapping slows, along with the overwhelming excitement that comes with opening electronic tones.

“Catch Me On A Break” sets the scene for the rest of the album, with a symphony of sounds and beats that the following tracks have difficulty living up to. This song in particular feels as though you’ve entered into a video game and are only beginning to embark on an adventure filled with thrilling encounters and challenging battles, making it a fun track for listeners.

A few songs sprinkled throughout the album, including “Snake On A Sand Dune” and “Travertine”, channel the energy of the opening track, containing funky sounds and an energetic feel. However, these are diluted in comparison to “Catch Me On A Break”. While each song should contain its individuality, the expectations did not necessarily feel met with these tracks due to how they stray from the standard that was set at the very start of Pipe-defy.

In relation to high expectations, there are some songs that don’t feel right for the album based on the precedent that was set at the start. “Best Party Ever II”, based on strictly the title of the song alone, is somewhat disappointing when it does not provide the energy of what one would imagine for the quote-on-quote best party ever. This is not to say these other tracks are not enjoyable, as they all have qualities that make them unique and impactful, yet the order in which they are presented to the listener is not beneficial for experiencing the album as a whole.

Pipe-defy defies one’s expectations of how the album should be based on the opening track. If it weren’t for “Catch Me On A Break” being the very first song, then a different experience would be provided. Maybe hitting the shuffle button is all that is needed for a change in perspective, yet the track still stands out in a way that makes it isolated from the rest, regardless of the order in which the songs are played. It gives the impression of a grand virtual journey in the height of the ‘80s, yet offers something similar with less intensity.

Artist Links