Review by Doug Cornell

It's been a crappy year for rock and punk music.  There have been a handful of stellar releases, but for the most part, weeks go by without anything being released that's compelling enough to purchase. 

Thankfully, every now and then something special shows up in my mailbox.  This week's pleasant surprise is in the form of a CD-R, complete with hand-scrawled writing and a paper sleeve.  But good things don't always come in fancy packaging.

General Miggs is a four-piece alternative rock outfit from Brooklyn, New York.  These guys create infectious, clever music, with guitars, percussion, pianos, horns, and voices.  Imagine Cake with more melody and energy and you'd be in the same neighborhood as General Miggs.

The CD opens as a flurry of horns open the slightly-disjointed track, "The Crawling Sun."  A syncopated rhythm forms the foundation for clear vocals and blasts of trumpets.  This is the sort of sound that isn't heard much these days in modern music, as General Miggs isn't the sort of band that just plays it safe.  The song evolves into a complete blast of sonic mayhem, as the guitars, percussion, horns, and vocals all combine into a magnificent crescendo.  A truly amazing song.

Things get a little folky as minor chord acoustic guitars open "Broken Hoof."  While the Decemberists have been getting all sorts of praise from the indie crowd, General Miggs is more successful with this sort of historical Americana music.  "Broken Hoof" is entirely likeable, especially as the band sings "Whooo-Hoooo" during the chorus.  Also commendable is the nearly hidden tinkling of background piano. 

The General gets rambunctious in "Cure Me," which could've been a bonus track on the recent release by Thunderbirds are Now, "Justamustache."  Guitars and percussion attack each other with murderous glee, while the vocal melody keeps the song together.  "Had a Laugh" slows the pace to a strange waltz, as guitars bite into chords on the upstroke and the percussion beats out a steady, insistent rhythm.  "Marco and Frankie" begins with a soft drum pattern and guitars, but hold on, because the intensity is turned up without warning just seconds into the song.  The pattern of softness vs. demolition is repeated to great effect throughout the track.

Closing the demo is the epic track (clocking in at 7:52) "Shyest Girl in the World."  This track follows no set pattern, as the tempo rapidly switches from sleep-inducing to full-tilt caffeine injection.  Guitar picks scratch at strings like fingernails on chalkboards, and the percussion is simply outstanding.  Suddenly the vocals turn soft and melodic, although it is nearly impossible to understand what is being said.

Given half a chance, General Miggs has the potential to be a break-out act.  They don't follow any pre-conceived trends and are willing to allow their music to range from intense melodies to raw energy.  I expect great things from these guys.