It is Portland OR rock music circa 1991, make no mistake. And yet Erika Meyer’s voice is quite something else: she often reminds me of the raw-throated polemic of Vi Subversa—especially in the lyrical structure—and sometimes, when she really reaches into herself, as on the blistering “Folding,” the unmatchable Thalia Zedek.
(The Legend!) Everett True, Hugs and Kisses #46 Village Voice - Sound of the City New York, NY (by way of Brighton, England)
(read full Village Voice review)
Dirty old-school sound, raw grunge and riot grrl flavoured bite, the real honest deal, you can’t fake a sound like this, you can’t fake lo-fi raw energy – it either happens naturally or it sounds wrong. Spiraling is a very real, very honest, very direct album, a naked album and no one’s going to put her in a line and tell her what to do, no swallowing sugar coated lies – even when she rather convincingly reaching deep inside and tells us she’s a little crazy and messed up - we love it when things are good. Would you? Serpentone blister, Serpentone bite, the band are good, raw live sound and basic production but the band carry it all – yep, this is basic stripped down punk rock and there ready for yer, go grab it.
Organ Magazine London, England
ORGAN #263 - June 26th 2008
from Soundcheck Magazine, Greater Manchester, England
Many bands submit their latest releases for review with the claim that they are ‘gonna be the next big thing’, that they ‘rock more than everyone else’…. Serpentone, on the other hand, make no such claim…
Erika Meyer knocks out tune after tune, in her unique vocal style, backed by a ‘Wall of Sound’ grungy attack by the rest of the band….it’s not all loud and aggressive though…there are quiet tender moments too….but gladly, the songs have been so well written that the underlying angst isn’t lost.
This is a great disc, you should check it out!!
Read the full Soundcheck Magazine review here…
The lyrics are characterized by an apparent simplicity that makes them almost seem like nursery rhymes, united sometimes to an unconventional and bitter irony (”Minivan Mom” above all). The whole set is rather varied, with a calibrated alternation of fast, punk-like songs, and then others that are slower and almost stoner-like (the beginning of “Folding”). “Float” certainly deserves mention, a beautiful and poignant ballad, sung with an abandonment and a truly remarkable pathos: gave me the chills. I must admit that this album was not only pleasant to listen to, but also exciting and stimulating: recommended.
- Giancario Mariottini Femme Rock : Realm of Female Vocals Genoa, Italy (translated from the Italian)
(read full Femme Rock English translation)
More reviews available on CDbaby.com/serpentone.