Sometimes I am glad that bands break up.  No, no, I am not talking about Creed or attempting to jinx certain acts like Nickleback or Simple Plan.  I am talking about bands that were good, just after their demise something better was created.  The loss of Minor Threat gave us Fugazi, the death of Uncle Tupelo birthed Wilco, the end of Operation Ivy meant the beginning of Rancid, the demise of Ninety Pound Wuss spawned Suffering and the Hideous Thieves, I could go on and on, but I digress. 

Last year the release of the EP “This Is Meant To Hurt You” by These Arms Are Snakes, composed of former members of hardcore outfit Botch and Kill Sadie, left many of us wanting more.  So does the long awaited full length  “Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelopes Go Home” live up to the hype?   Yes and No.

If you were expecting “This Is Meant To Hurt You II” then you will most definitely be disappointed.  There are elements of the EP heard throughout this record but it is more of a confined sound.  This is due in part to the band stripping down to a three piece, losing its keyboard player, and changing drummers. 

The opener, “S*** Sisters”, is somewhat familiar territory with its winding guitar parts and shouting vocals and is reminiscent of what they were doing on the EP.    “Angela’s Secret”, my favorite song on the record, starts off with a danceable drum beat while the keyboard plays softly as the guitar riff weaves in and out and Steve Snere shouts out the disheartening story of Angela, a single mother who turns to stealing to support her family.     

TAAS is at its peak with the likes of the dynamic “Tracing Your Pearly Whites” and it is one of the few times on the album that vocalist Snere actually sings before building musically and vocally into all out ferocity at the end of the song.  The organ is an integral part to this album as well and is laced perfectly throughout the record like on the closing track “Idaho.” 

There are a few things that hurt the “Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelopes Go Home.” “Gadget Arms” drags endlessly at over eight minutes behind a wall of dissonant guitars and noise and I quickly lost interest.  Another thing that hurts this album is the bands fascination with prog rock, which inevitably impairs the momentum of this record.  It wouldn’t hinder TAAS to dabble more in the arena of melody and less in the art of avant-garde but somehow they make it work and keep things interesting.

This album is very strong lyrically.  In “Big News” he employs, “I’ve got a life and desires, and it’s more than to retire.  I trust there’s more in a life to lead.”  “Tracing Pearly Whites” is Snere’s take on the scars of domestic abuse as he claims, “My childhood passed through me like the throat meeting water.”  The eerie “Idaho” laments, “My life has become dry because of you. Insomnia. Paranoia. Anxiety. Dependence. Relentless. Worthless. You stole all my love. You stole all my love, and I want it back.”  On a side note I would be remiss to not mention the artwork of “Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelopes Go Home” as it can catch one off guard.  The inlay features nude shots of both men and women for artistic purposes I’m sure but I have yet to figure it out.

TAAS have created a record that defies genre and will make many pay attention. There are flashes of pure genius on this record but unfortunately TAAS appears to get hung up on droning prog rock meanderings and cyclical vocal parts that can hold back “Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home.” Regardless this is still a very intriguing release.