The psychedelic style that starts off the Neon Life EP has a vibrancy and energy that will immediately ensnare listeners for the entirety of the release. Each element of Dashboard Madonna immediately gives it their all, creating a compelling and memorable track out of the gate. The vocals act as the perfect counterpoint to the instruments arranged here; Dead Men Tell No Tales is a perfect microcosm showing what is to come.
Starting From Scratch is an eclectic track that takes on a disparate set of influences, tying together Patti Smith and Sheryl Crow to Run-D.M.C.. The guitars, which took second fiddle on Dead Men Tell No Tales, are granted equal time with the bass line. Add in a quite punchy drum line, and one has the most memorable crossover track heard since Blondie’s Rapture. Up & Away has a bass line that elicits comparisons to funk and eighties-era Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The male vocals that are dominant during this track are bolstered with the inclusion of a second voice; Up & Away keeps the band’s momentum high as they move to the second half of this EP. Bond Girls is the penultimate track on Neon Life, and it marries together a shuffling disco beat with a much more electronic-feeling production. Dashboard Madonna are utterly confident in the styles that they show during Neon Life, and I believe that this will manifest itself perfectly in a longer release. Pick up a copy of the Neon Life EP whenever you get a few bucks, and make it a point to see Dashboard Madonna whenever they stop in your neck of the woods.
Top Tracks: Dead Men Tell No Tales, The Girl In The Polka Dot Dress
Rating: 8.6/10
Dashboard Madonna – Neon Life EP (CD) / 2012 Self / 6 Tracks / http://www.dashboardmadonna.com/
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
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