Exit International is an international non-profit organization advocating the legalization of euthanasia. It’s also the name of a Cardiff-based three piece – two bassists one drummer – who’ve been lavished with praise since their first album Black Junk was released in 2011. Listening to their latest offering Our Science is Golden it’s not hard to see why; they generate a balls-out, high octane racket that sounds like Nine Inch Nails meets Green Day.
It’s not subtle – lyrically or musically – and, despite their image as “don’t give a shit misfits”, they’re very tight and crafted. I’m always a little suspicious of bands that cultivate a reckless, carefree attitude whilst producing music that’s, well, obviously not. Our Science is Golden is certainly loud and aggressive but it’s often almost slick and reminded me at times – like on “Nitro Zoo” and “Our Science is Golden” – of the kind of “rawk” Gun N’ Roses and Stone Temple Pilots used to pollute the airwaves with. That said “Black Jesus” is as rough as a bears arse and sounds like a brawl in a sheet-metal warehouse.
There’s certainly a punk ferocity throughout the album though there’s little abandon, except when vocalist Scott occasionally lets loose a primal scream. There’s also a degree of repetition; songs like “The Nein Tease” and “F.L.T” are very similar and this is perhaps a function of the two bass novelty; certain songs definitely benefit from the bass heavy sound – “Fuck Yeah! Depression” in particular – but the theme is always essentially the same; furiously fast riffs and vocals which oscillate between Steven Tyler and Brian Molko. If your musical roots are the Wildhearts, Placebo and The Offspring you will probably like this. If you’re more into Wire, Sonic Youth and Big Black it might be less easy to warm to. It’s certainly the kind of music people who drink cider while driving furiously to a late night strip club will love, and I don’t get the impression the band would be especially troubled with appealing to this demographic.
Aidan Hehir
It’s not subtle – lyrically or musically – and, despite their image as “don’t give a shit misfits”, they’re very tight and crafted. I’m always a little suspicious of bands that cultivate a reckless, carefree attitude whilst producing music that’s, well, obviously not. Our Science is Golden is certainly loud and aggressive but it’s often almost slick and reminded me at times – like on “Nitro Zoo” and “Our Science is Golden” – of the kind of “rawk” Gun N’ Roses and Stone Temple Pilots used to pollute the airwaves with. That said “Black Jesus” is as rough as a bears arse and sounds like a brawl in a sheet-metal warehouse.
There’s certainly a punk ferocity throughout the album though there’s little abandon, except when vocalist Scott occasionally lets loose a primal scream. There’s also a degree of repetition; songs like “The Nein Tease” and “F.L.T” are very similar and this is perhaps a function of the two bass novelty; certain songs definitely benefit from the bass heavy sound – “Fuck Yeah! Depression” in particular – but the theme is always essentially the same; furiously fast riffs and vocals which oscillate between Steven Tyler and Brian Molko. If your musical roots are the Wildhearts, Placebo and The Offspring you will probably like this. If you’re more into Wire, Sonic Youth and Big Black it might be less easy to warm to. It’s certainly the kind of music people who drink cider while driving furiously to a late night strip club will love, and I don’t get the impression the band would be especially troubled with appealing to this demographic.
Aidan Hehir