Aminal
A Face to Fight/A Will to Fight
Rock
3.5 of 5 stars
The purpose of this review was initially to write only about A Will
To Fight, the free-download EP from Chapel Hill’s Aminal that UNC’s
Vinyl Records is supporting on its
VR Presents Web site.
But in listening to it and its physically packaged counterpart A
Face To Fight, it became obvious that the two are too closely related
not to be talked about together.
The two EPs together constitute one complete collection, a statement
of post-adolescent angst built of roughly hewn, stripped-back indie
rock. Leaving behind the barreling barroom rage of its powerful live
shows, Aminal lets its insistent melodies and moving thoughts on life
in limbo do the work.
“A Will To Fight” is the best example. Dropping such irresistible
lines as “Situation normal, I f--cked up” and “You don’t need stand
there and be my crush because I’m going to love you way too much,” lead
singer Patrick O’Neil wavers between fighting and giving up as he faces
the trouble of his life.
It’s this conflict that consumes these two EPs. Using guitar, keys,
bass and drums with very few instrumental freak outs, Aminal’s
exploration of its existential crisis is by turns delicate and defiant.
But no matter which gear the band finds itself in, it never ceases to
tug on the nerves in the bottom of your stomach.
And while not every song will stay with you forever, there are
moments that crystallize the fear of where life is heading in a way
most bands can only aspire to.
It’s a great game to play in a place such as Chapel Hill, one that
should win over both townies and college kids alike. Looks like Aminal
is just our kind of beast.