Shiba – Shiba Demos
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, you may meet the very fascinating artist Neopoliten. His band Shiba, composed of your typical guitars+bass+drum combo, packs a surprising punch for such a small suite of individuals.
The Furry Song opens up with style; the aesthetic is on point, the jams are wonderous, yet the vocals are fuzzy and distracting. This is a common theme throughout the entire mixtape, as well as his solo project Neopoliten. Pretty Freak boasts some awesome jams once again, though the vocals are so hazily thrown over it detracts from the lustrous vibe. The Cesspool is even worse; the instrumentals can barely breathe due to being drowned out by the most monotonal, ghastly vocal performance. This is a common fault through all of Neo’s work. Moreover, the song is so standard you can predict every note ahead. Much the same can be said about Daggers, though the Steven Albini-esque breakdown sections are enjoyable. If only Neo would let his band do most of the work. The album degrades even further from here. Filth blends some interesting new-wave ideas, though is once again besmirched by you-can-guess-what. While the guitars are ferocious, the singer lacks energy and clarity, and the song is indistinguishable from everything prior. Living Under Threat is a treat; the energy is top-notch, and the vocals (while still awful) are engaging. Perhaps my liking towards it is only due to the contrast of songs that led to it.
It’s a shame that such great dynamics are ruined by mumbly-fumbly vocals. This is a disappointing project, and I much prefer his solo portfolio thus far. Dux is a masterpiece compared to this project. Everyone’s gotta start somewhere though, right?
Awful
Give it a listen here:
Shiba – Shiba Demos
