Room 101- The Gadfly

Artist: Room101

CD title: The Gadfly

Label: Self Released

Genre: Electropunk

Website: http://room101music.org/music.htm

Reviewer: Steve Fearon

Date: 29/01/11

You can Download this album for free here: http://room101music.bandcamp.com/

Room101 is a Chicago based ElectroPunk band, focusing on high energy anthems of dissatisfaction in new EP "The Gadfly".

"The Gadfly" voices a feeling of unrest, with powerful guitars, live sounding drums and some passionately voiced lyrics which frankly provide a nice contrast to the current trend in mainstream punk bands of the last 5 years.

This is a band with a point to make, and they make it well, with dynamic songs, fairly strong production values and a very energetic and "live" sound, which compliments what they are doing perfectly.

Most importantly, the songs are good with catchy choruses that will have you fist pumping and shouting along to by the time the first track finishes.

My biggest criticism would be that there is very little to the electronic side of the band evident on this EP, other than short bursts of synth activity, or the occasional pad or subdued arpeggiator, and I personally would like to see them try to bring the electronics to the forefront a little more than they currently do.

In terms of similar artists, I would point to bands like Pennywise, Pitchshifter and One Minute Silence at times.

I have been very impressed with this release, and would recommend anyone that enjoys a bit of Punk, to give it a go, especially since it is currently free to download.

8/10 - Recommended Tracks "We Want Blood" and "CCTV"