Sal McArthur
Considering they have spent the past fifteen years straddling the line between man and machine, the title Rehumanizer might lead you to believe that retro-futurists Maserati have finally chosen a side. But on their latest album, Athens’ sultans of synth continue speeding down the same road forged by MIDI maestros Kraftwerk, John Carpenter and Gary Numan – they just kick up a lot more rocks along the way.
With each new album, Maserati has been infusing more psychedelic sensibility into their krautrock and post-rock roots, and Rehumanizer is no exception. The six-track LP picks up right where 2012’s Maserati IV left off — that is, somewhere in the middle of a ’80s action movie score. But this time around, the guitars are louder, the drums rumble longer, and the result is completely out of this world.
Tracks “No Cave” and “Montes Jura” both feature dark waves of keys and synth that could have been plucked straight from Snake Plissken’s stereo. In true Maserati fashion, the band isn’t content to keep things simple for long. They soon begin adding layer upon layer of sonic complexity, weaving effortlessly in and out of a psychedelic jam like their namesake sports car on a curvy California highway.
“Living Cell” pairs a throbbing bassline with blasé, talk box vocals to create a futuristic new wave funeral dirge. Robotic vocals make a second appearance on “End of Man,” a song that was made for cyborgs to dance to long after the humans are gone. It’s a track that isn’t as rock-oriented as the rest of the album, but a slick, penetrating guitar lead keeps it cohesive.
Final tracks “Rehumanizer I” and “Rehumanizer II” are aptly named as the sound returns from soaring highs back down to earth. Part jet engine, part ray gun, these songs dance between the low rumble of rock and roll and the high voltage whine of early electronica before finally yielding to the more primal sounds of guitar, bass and drums.
While Maserati doesn’t stray far from its inspirations, it stands far apart from other bands in the area by tackling a genre few even attempt. Rehumanizer is another solid addition to the band’s discography, and a must-listen for anyone who dreams in neon and chrome.
More Info
Web: ihaveadagger.net
Bandcamp: maserati.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @MASERATIBAND
Twitter: @MASERATI_BAND