Album Review: Nicarus – Coal People, Coal Puppets (Self Released)
While rock’s popularity in Israel has been in steady decline over the last couple of decades, there are still geniuses that emerge with fresh takes on the genre’s varying strands, especially on the darker side of the coin. One such talented individual is Tali Green who founded Nicarus in 2015. After the success of her début EP Holy Sun Father Spirit last year, 2021 sees the fruition of full-length Coal People, Coal Puppets which was done 100% DIY.
The album will be released on January 8th 2021.
What’s the best way to describe Nicarus’ sound? Is it alternative rock? dream-pop? grunge? dark and gloomy experimental music? Doom? How about all these things and more thrown into a melting pot of ideas and imagination. The end result is Coal People, Coal Puppets; an album that is singular in its vision to have depth and meaning to it but is an amalgamation of sounds and lead, or dominated by a powerful but fragile vocal performance. Tali Green sounds immense but it’s not the only thing that stands out on Coal People, Coal Puppets.
Don’t be mistaken by the term ‘pop’ to describe an element of what Tali Green produces on this album. This is an unmistakably heavy effort, with riffs as weighty as lead. The title track giving full doom bands a run for their money. Whereas the fascinating experimental side of her imagination is in full bloom on The Architects of Grime and on the eerie and dreamy, With Storms We Thrive.
It’s a constantly fascinating listen and over far sooner then it should be even if it’s not exactly short at 35+ minutes. It just feels shorter because it draws you in, grabbing the attention with an impressive mish-mash of ideas and captivating with a memorable vocal performance and the satisfying realisation that Nicarus is more than capable of realising those ideas.
Nicarus – Coal People, Coal Puppets Full Track Listing:
1. We Can See Their Lies
2. Are You Afraid To Die Alone
3. Coal People Coal Puppets
4. The Architect of Grime
5. With Storms We Thrive
6. The Stuff You Pack When You Are A Time Traveller
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Nicarus - Coal People, Coal Puppets (Self Released)
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The Final Score - 8/10
8/10
