Podracer - Maskenfreiheit Album Review

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Podracer are a 3 piece post punk group from Dundalk, Co. Louth. The band consists of Alan Anderson on guitar and lead vocal, Damien Carroll on bass and backing vocals and Keith Mulholland on drums and backing vocals. They have toured up and down the country playing prestigious venues such as Spirit Store, Fibber Magee's, Fred Zeppelins, Limelight and Róisín Dubh. They've also support the likes fo Kerbdog, Fighting With Wire and Lo Lite to name just a few.
After waiting 7 years since their debut album "Parking Cars And Pumping Gas", Podracer have just released their latest album "Maskenfreiheit" which was recorded at Shop Studio in Carlingford.


"Your Twist" begins with a lady speaking German right before Podracer kick into their signature sound. It's aggressive and ballsy yet refined with a nice lull in the middle before launching back in. Great album opener.
"TMWMNI" could be a song about dementia, it could be a song about multiple personality disorder or it could be a song about losing your identity. Whatever it's about, it's damn good and could be played on repeat several times with no complaint.
Next up "In-Human" which has a more danceable feel to it. The music is cheerier despite the not so cheery lyrics such as "I know this is not what you want to hear, you know the end is near". The bass steals the show on this track. Kim Deal would be happy with fingering like that.
"Honey" is the first single from the album and is in your face and flat out brilliant. the video for this track is awesome to boot. (Check it out below).
"Inauguration" builds with battle march like drumming with an eerie guitar track behind it which all comes together beautifully with the vocals. A sublime head nodding piece of music with what seems to be Slayer's Raining Blood on the drums at the very end.
"Ratline" is again fast and furious but in a good way, not that Jason Statham shite. "The enemy, of my enemy is not always my friend" basically translates as everybody is Podracer's enemy.
"Fit In Belong" is another track that demands your attention whilst screaming "You can't take what I don't have" right into your face.
The bass heavy "Dead Head" yet again showcases the compatibility that Alan, Damien and Keith obviously possess after so many years making music together.
The genre bending, scathing "21st Century" is incredible. It's loud, it's funky, it's punky and it's probably the best song on the album.
"Spitting Blood" has that classic Podracer sound that they have come accustomed to. It's "tightly woven, brilliantly antagonistic alt-rock" as previously stated by BBC Northern Ireland.
"Cross That River" is a more subdued effort from Podracer. It bubbles away consistently never quite coming to a crescendo which means this song could have come in at about 14 minutes long and it would never get boring.
The album closer, "Inauguration (Arvo Party Remix)" is nothing like the rest of the album. Perhaps the word "remix" should have made that obvious but this is a stunning piece of music. Think hardcore rave mixed with dream like beats and you will be in the right ballpark. This absolutely tremendous. Fucking love it.

Overall, "Maskenfreiheit" is a tremendous album from some legends of the Dundalk music scene. The album from top to bottom is filled with some absolute cracking tunes and is a testament to the music knowledge and ability of the three men. Hopefully it won't be another 7 years between albums for Podracer.


Watch the video for "Honey":




Keep up to date with Podracer at:
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Bandcamp
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Soundcloud
YouTube


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