Dark Meat - Universal Indians

Genre experimental Publisher Vice Records External Links Vice Records

The creators of Universal Indians are ensemble group who call themselves Darkmeat. Released with Vice Records, this album is without question one of the most elaborate records I've heard in a long while. Featuring 11 tracks of nonsense, poly-tonal arrangements, layered harmonies, and dozens of instruments, Darkmeat somehow makes it all come together.

'Freedom Ritual' is the internet downloadable favorite. It begins with a cappella vocals that isn't really all that pretty sounding which makes the song that much more odd when it finally comes into something more relatable. Immediately, the song is amusing. The vocal style is stylistically sassy and grungy; when you blend this with the sounds of horns, strings, drums, and electric guitars it sounds a lot like a circus. 'Well Fuck You Then' is even more outrageous. Intertwined in the playful sarcasm that is the lyrical deliberations are some interesting musical harmonies that must have taken quite a bit of time to get right. 'Three Eyes Open' is something more like old school punk rock. It's got the same kind of vibe to it and it even incorporates some really nifty guitar licks that are more rock than punk. The chorus does feature the by now familiar Darkmeat flavor with lots of hoots and hollers that are totally indecipherable. It's a very long song that is sort of like a rollercoaster: going up and down, fast and slow through a landscape that you have to imagine for yourself.

'Angel of Meth' is probably Universal Indian's most pop friendly song. Instead of chaos, a big sound of unity is created here. Of course it still sounds like the rest of the tracks on the album, but it is arranged in such a way that definitely has radio appeal. Doing it's best to keep listeners following along; it manages to create sounds that are recognizable. It emphasis guitar harmonies that are multi layered for a purpose of giving a fuller sound without over emphasizing the volume. 'Disintegrating Flowers' is a song that sounds a lot like its name. Featuring totally dissonant and purposefully out of tune notes from classical instruments, it slowly makes its way into something that is never really nice on the ears.

Darkmeat's Universal Indians is a lot like a circus. It's the child of a contemporary experimental sound and classical instruments, only this child is not quite right. Often times overbearing and too much to handle, Universal Indians is a random expedition into the possibilities of musical compatibility- if you could call it that. It's not that it's bad, it's just that its so difficult to comprehend music of this kind. I think that Darkmeat wanted it this way though. There is some sense of genius behind the chaos of Universal Indians and for that I give Darkmeat a thumbs up; but it's really going to take a certain type of listener to really sit down and be able to honestly enjoy this brand of music.