4 out of 5

Label: Level Plane

Produced by: Menno Bakker (engineer, mixing)

An amusingly raucous blast of rock, Oil’s Electric Tongue is almost too fleeting to review; it feels like a preview for something much bigger, bursting as it is with potential beyond the confines of a 5-song Ep.  And yet there’s somehow filler there…  But the group gets the takeoff and landing perfect, which is sometimes all you need (with a short runtime) to leave a lasting impression.

In the US, appearing on the generally hardcore label Level Plane, the rumbly guitar riff that opens things up for the title track feels fitting, as do the throaty speak-shouts that kick in.  But as the infectious chorus rears its head it becomes clear: This is freaking rock, man, enthusiastic and catchy as Hell, with a singer who sounds like he’s berating the song for not being meaner sounding.  Its an energizing combination, I promise.

The third and fourth tracks hang around a bit less undefined until their conclusions, but closer Scrape brings it home thematically and loudly: booming bass, thumping drums, and ripping riffs.

Alas, bursting with potential, but Oil would disappear soon after.