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Anorexia Nervosa
Showbread is a band that consistently pushes the musical and thematic limits of their listeners. The band crafts a compelling mish-mash of post-hardcore and screamo, and then forces their fans to think harder and deeper on an array of dense topics (what other band name-drops Kafka and Plath on the same record?). Thus, when the band names their new double-disc album after “a serious disorder in eating behavior primarily of young women in their teens and early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss” (from Merriam-Webster.com), something must be afoot, as this is a disorder not to be taken lightly.And the men of Showbread haven’t done so: this is an intricate album that swings between blistering progressions of power chords and swooning, straight-up rock. Intermixed with the art-rock aspirations are the pulsing synths, sound samples, and engaging vocal techniques the band’s fans have come to love. Both Anorexia and Nervosa are 12-track albums, each containing the same 12 metal-sounding titles – “The [insert strong, epic noun here]” – ranging from “The Vulture” and “The Flies” to “The Goat” and “The Death.” Sonically, Anorexia is a natural progression for the band: the intensity of No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical merged with the passion of Age Of Reptiles, but with Nervosa, Showbread has created an aggressive, industrial sound that calls to mind the heydays of both Nine Inch Nails and Rob Zombie. Moreover, the band has seemingly upped the thematic ante here with a collection of strong songs laden with overarching ambition as they discuss fear, angst, tribulation, self-loathing, and eventual victory over the darkness. Showbread enthusiasts will find much to love with Anorexia Nervosa, while fans of elaborate album storyboard concepts will be giddy with the material that the band has packaged (including a story in the liner notes to be read along with each song). Has Raw Rock become High Art? [Tooth & Nail] Adam P. Newton
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This album review was originally published in the May/June Issue (#131) of HM Magazine. You can order the Print Version of this issue online or find this issue on newsstands. You can NOW read this entire feature in the online edition of HM Magazine. If you're a subscriber, you get a free online/digital subscription with your print subscription. If you're a subscriber and you don't have or misplaced your password, give us an email and we'll get you that info. You can purchase a single online/digital edition (which includes access to back issues) for only $1.99. A one-year digital-only subscription can be had for only $6.
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This is going to be one of the most amazing albums of my life time! Go showbread!
Indeed! I have followed Showbread for many years and am very excited for the new album debut. This reviewer, APN, has really involved my listening interest all the more and can not wait to peer into the message of SHowbread. Thanks!
