Puscifer – Donkey Punch The Night EP (Review)

Yell! Magazine’s review:

The Maynard James Keenan side project, Puscifer, will be releasing an EP on February 19th. Donkey Punch the Night features covers of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Accept’s “Balls to the Wall,” plus two original tracks, “Breathe” and “Dear Brother.” The rest of the seven-track EP offers various remixes of the songs already mentioned.

As a vehicle for Keenan’s subconscious to play around, don’t expect anything as hard-hitting as Tool or A Perfect Circle. Donkey Punch the Night offers a pretty chill ride into your own subconscious. The tone is soft, the beats are like honey, and the mood is calming. It’s an ethereal collection of smooth tunes.

Even the cover of “Balls to the Wall” is stripped down and reworked into something much more relaxed than the original. As it should be with a “Pillow Fight Mix” identifier.

The “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover is as authentic and faithful as it can be. As a result, it’s the most aggressive track on the EP. Strange indeed. It’s an awesome cover, but those who aren’t Keenan fans (or at least familiar with him) will find faults in it. I do wish that Keenan would have reinterpreted the Queen track as he did with Accept’s. I think cover songs, especially iconic and band-defining songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” should stray from the original. What’s the point in doing it exactly the same unless you’re in a cover band or a wedding singer?

Donkey Punch the Night is streaming over at Spin.com if you’d like to take a listen before buying.

While Puscifer is mainly a Keenan solo side project, he does need help. Here’s a list of additional artists who played their part on Donkey Punch the Night: Carina Round – additional vocals, guitar; Mat Mitchell – bass, guitar, programming; Josh Eustis – guitar, piano; Matt McJunkins – bass; Juliette Commagere – additional vocals; Jeff Friedl – drums, percussion; Zac Rae – piano; Josh Morreau – bass; Claire Acey – vocals

The Verdict: [rating:3.5]

If you’re in the mood for some futuristic take on the futuristic techno beats from the ‘80s by an artist that you don’t have to be ashamed of, then Donkey Punch the Night is for you. The music is great for intense, focussed listening, but it can also serve as unobtrusive background music for working. In a way, the music seems perfectly suited for a soundtrack, perhaps Blade Runner, Terminator, or a Mad Max remake. Something gritty, dirty, and bleak that needs juxtaposition from something smooth and clean. It would take a sociopath to make this a daily listen, but it definitely has replay value – especially when a certain mood strikes you.

Rock Hard \m/