After about a week and a half of wrapping my mind around this bit of artwork, it is apparent that words could never do Body Works a bit of justice. So what’s a writer to do?
First off, a little “Get to know the artist.” Megosh are a progressive/post-hardcore quartet from Baltimore, Maryland. Guitarist/Lead Vocalist Josh Grosscup, at first glance, appears identical to Jack Black and oddly enough, has disturbingly similar mannerisms as the multi-talented human. Moving on, so as to not pigeonhole this review completely, the group has this rare ability to sound remarkably unique, while also incorporating several different styles and genres (which many bands do, un-uniquely). The only group that remotely comes to mind is Coheed & Cambria – but being a decade-long fan of the latter, even that comparison doesn’t sit entirely well. What Megosh seem to have here is a firm grasp on forcing a catchy pop track down your throat, while masking it with a guitar-encumbered, progressive technique. They do this without any hesitation or regard to potential metal-backlash. To put this synopsis into a simpler form – Megosh eat your soul while making you feel absurdly satisfied.
Now that we have gotten to know the band in some detail (sorry for the over-detail), Body Works is, more or less, a single (“Body Works”), combining forces with Megosh’s self-titled EP that released back in 2013. Perhaps we should be calling this a co-review, then? Regardless, the tracks remain fully intact and the natural flow of the record is perfectly undisturbed with the first track addition.
“Body Works” gently begins the EP with a haunting guitar intro, which quickly transfers the spotlight to the aforementioned Grosscup, whose vocals ultimately take over. However, in defense of the remaining members, the instrumentation and harmonies of the album are stunning. In “Black Is the New Blonde” listeners would be repressed to not hear the brilliance. What is just as impressive is the EP’s production and sound quality, but do not take that the wrong way – oftentimes, up-and-coming bands like Megosh will carry this unprecedented talent, only to have it shattered by a poor engineering project (lower budget, financial-speak). Needless to say, nothing here sounds under-done or thrown together.
“Trigger Thumb” is my personal favorite on the short collection of tracks. Being the heaviest of the assortment, the lyrics reach right out and grab a hold of you. “Where were you and all your guns / Leave it to me to be the one to pick you up / This could be love / Burn the bridges built by broken hearts you’ve shrined / And separate the swine.” Lyricists who have the competence to develop a multi-leveled meaning to a song will always trump the straightforward writers and thinkers of the world (Skiba, Havok, etc.). There is and always will be a clear difference between poet and writer. The ability to create varied viewpoints and opinions surrounding one’s words is sheer genius.
Honestly, there is no perfect way to wrap up this summary of thought which fully captures the feelings that present themselves while listening – what can I say, I’m a writer, and therefore, a straightforward thinker.
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