Idiot3
The Monster & The Grey Goose Independent

by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

Comments: Exactly what is an “Idiot3”? Is that like “Idiot” to the third power? Are these alternative/power pop gents from England followers of Pythagoras? Regardless, this quartet showed off their mad songwriting skills on Trashpit Records The New Breed with their song “Reasons,” and back that success up with a new EP called The Monster & The Grey Goose. Idiot3 is as contemporary as some of their influences like Jimmy Eat World and the Goo Goo Dolls, but their pop tendencies lean towards the ‘80s in a complimentary way.

The EP begins with “Stereo,” and all-out anthem about, well, listening to your favorite music. Although it sounds uplifting, it’s also about making the conscious decision to listen to music and not the news, because the world is falling apart around you and the only possible escape is music. So no, it’s not all that uplifting. Idiot3 rides that gray area between pop insensibility and utter awareness, but it all makes sense. As a quartet, the lead singer Ian Hardwick also plays bass, allowing guitarists Jimmy Alford and Jon Reynolds to create a fuller sound. Really, any person in the world who likes rock music will love “Stereo.”

“Feelings” is up next, and it owns a groove that would probably make the club-goers bounce around like hydrophobic Teletubbies. You will definitely hear the Jimmy Eat World influence here, with rich, carefree melodies and strong vocal harmonies. Drummer Tim Hardwick takes some chances on his fills, and some of the musical passages, especially the riffs, get semi-metallic. It’s an interesting composition, nearly as worthy as “Stereo.”

“Sick of This” begins with a drum frenzy, and then some muted riffing and noisy vocals. Where the other songs scream radio-friendly, this delivers with a cacophony that is strictly alternative, thereby even more mesmerizing. The vocal rhythms of the chorus, “Don’t matter if you wanna go!” are delivered at a breakneck speed. This definitely shows Idiot3 is at least doubly-faceted if not multi-faceted.

You get into a playful, dirty theme on “Little Much Touch.” As far as cheating songs go, this one holds its own, with slutty, sleazy lines like “And he don’t know the state I’m in, a little drunk fun and it all begins.” The chorus is huge and hooky, with haunting harmonies. Idiot3’s strengths are multiple, but you have to list their lead and backing vocals at the top of the list. While you never get a straight ahead guitar solo with the band, their tempo changes and breakdowns create the same sort of breath a solo would, so you never miss it. As it fades out, with “I told you once we’d pay the price … it’s on sale now,” you’ll understand exactly how crafty these songwriters are.

It all ends with “Monster,” a song actually nearing the 8-minute mark. While they like to play the idiot card, lyrically, Idiot3 has a tendency to pen lyrics heavy in poesy. Try on lines like, “Pass along the wisdom and stories of losing love, the windows are forever wide,” and “Your dignity peppered with grace, forever a smile on your face.” They are certainly not going to write something like “I wanna put my log in your fireplace!” The track goes from soft acoustic passages to heavy, almost doom-laden riffs and then more melodic guitar leads, all the while Ian sings “Monster, monster,” in the background. This is the one time Jon tears into a longer guitar solo as well, which he pulls off with aplomb. All in all, it combines everything impressive about the aforementioned songs and wraps them into one take for you.

The final song is really just nonsense, like the B-side of a B-side, a faux-country yokel sing-along. At least they live up to the “Idiot” moniker here, in a playful sense, especially with someone yelling, “They caught me masturbating!”

Idiot3 is one of those underground bands that don’t belong anywhere near the underground. Jump on their bandwagon now so you don’t look like a … dullard … when everyone you know says Idiot3 is their new favorite band.

www.idiot3.com

Track Listing:
Stereo
Feelings
Sick of This
Little Much Touch
Monster

Hardrock Haven rating: NA