"ROAD 2"
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Mini-album:  
Title: "ROAD 2..."
Released: October 07
Recorded: Open Gate Studios (Ct)

Tracks:
1. 4.20 (4.10)
2. One Two Three Star (4.13)
3. Rainjune (3.52)
4. It Was a Joke (3.38)
5. Catch a Dream (3.44)
6. In Another Place (3.49)
7. Holy Mother of Damned Generation (3.39)
8. Untitled (4.56)

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INFUZED - from Glasgow
30th january 2008 [...]

Kizzy H

After experiences with other bands and other music genres, the members of The Chimps came together to form an Indie band; you have Alex, Giuseppe, Andrea, Alessandro & Andrea Piccione. Over that time they've been clocking up gig appearances & recorded some really decent work! As the first track started to play, I found them instantly interesting and looked forward to what I was about to listen to.

Opening up is 4.20, the beginning starts off sharp and precise before blasting out into a steady rhythm. The chorus has a fun and lively bounce to it that you can't help but nod your head along to. The guitar riffs are exceptional and really create a good atmosphere along side the vocals. This song does a great job of grasping your attention and leaves you wondering what is to come up next.

One Two Three Star moves swiftly in, you really can't get away from the hypnotic twang of the guitars in the background; these are definitely one of the band's strong points. I love the simplicity of the song, the vocals aren't too over powering and the song hasn't been too over worked, it still retains its raw appeal. I quite like it!

Following on is Rainjune is a lovely piece; I love the words and the sentimentality they hold. I swear if you were to close your eyes and only hear the background noise, you would swear you were listening to music you've heard on the radio quite a lot. It presents an equal balance of loud and soft, perfect for listening to over and over.

It was a joke opens brilliantly; I do enjoy hearing the guitars in this band. The vocals tend to do better with the lower notes more so than with the higher pitches, but it doesn't ruin the song in any way; I just prefer the lower tones of the vocals.

Next up is Catch a dream has a steady start but picks up the pace a bit as it plays more; the thumping of the drums is quite present in this one. I like the more frantic way of the vocals in the versus, the words are brought out in these short, sharp bursts, it works really well

In another place has an uplifting guitar riff that mixes well with the vocals, although it does drag a bit in certain areas, but is still worth listening to. You might find yourself tempted to clap or dance along to this one just as the rhythm is quite infectious. I would say this one presents itself more as a filler song on the album and doesn't stand out as much as the others, but all in all its still fun to listen to.

Next in is Holy mother of damned generation which I must say I love the title instantly, it grabs my attention and sparks my curiosity as to what it sounds like. I love the gradual build of the guitars as they slowly get mixed in with the drum bashes it creates this cool and collected soundscape. The lyrics are imaginative and I can see this one going down well with crowds as they jump around and sing along with the words.

Untitled plays last on this mini album, again they spare no expense in the wicked guitar riff category, the intro is sweet and comes across well. I believe this one is my favourite for some reason, something about the riffs and the vocals I quite like and think work really well. It's one of those songs that others might listen to and not hear a definite hit instantly, but the more you listen to it, the more you love it. All these different elements come pouring out gradually and it's most definitely unique, I can't quite put my finger on what or who it might sound like, but I love it!

Like with any band they are influenced by many other different bands, but gladly they've been able to create certain uniqueness to them that I find quite charming and enjoyable to hear and I hope to hear many more songs from them in the future.

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ARTISTS&BANDS
19th dicember 07 [...]

Fabio "Stanley" Cusano

After the publication of their excellent E.P. Road To… in October of 2006, The Chimps return this year with the reissue of those same tracks in addition to 4 new ones which comprise Road 2, about thirty minutes full of indie rock mixed in the great tradition of the new wave of the 1980’s.

“It Was A Joke,” after three tracks that already well bring into focus their project, demonstrates how the band approaches a certain sound similar to the Strokes at the instrumental level, but also the rest of the collection reveals an excellent personality and choice for strikingly fresh melodies. In all of the tracks present here, that help us to better focus the agile musicality without embellishments of the band compared with last year’s work, one notices a sense of tranquility and understanding composed of a certain level, approached with a very inspiring and credible songwriting.

“Catch A Dream” is introduced by a round of guitars that is reminiscent of early Interpol, however at the same time also the early releases of U2; the following “In Another Place” opens with a bass riff full of groove then proceeding in a cheery and relaxed melody. These five young men from Catania are also very keen and well aware that it is not necessarily a fault to address themselves to a public as broad as possible, churning out tracks always short and concise in passage, averting the risk of putting off the audience that for the first time is listening to them. They conclude the collection with “Holy Mother of Damned Generation”, a piece heavy with groove and with very fluid and catchy vocals, and “Untitled”, undoubtedly the most biting episode of the eight tracks presented in this second attempt, with a guitar riff sustained to open the piece that follows unrestrained and penetrating in the vein of British new wave, echoing the specter of Ian Curtis and his never overly missed Joy Division.

A combination with a very wide view towards which operates and a very accurate production, supported by a complex quality of depth: Road 2 presents itself as an extremely interesting point of departure for creating something even greater in the following years. If to this we also add the fact that their website (where this disc is available to be downloaded for free) possesses a splendid design, and an extraordinary smoothness in navigation, we can understand easily that in Catania, someone wants to produce things in style. Good luck.

BLACKOUT69.COM
23th dicember 2007 [...]

Mercuzio


Once again late, I knew it. Cap underneath the shower, toothpaste to accompany the croissant, and in a hurry to find the cell phone. I thank my capacity for being a homebody in exchange for the hospitality of others, roaming around another few minutes in the gray Lombardian city until finding the suitable setting.
“They deserve it” I repeat to myself. I really owe it to them.
And what to say otherwise, that at that time certainly didn’t define them with positive words, that inclined to never surrender, they repropose themselves now, after having welcomed the criticism, rather constructive, of the band? Admirable obstinacy and growing determination. Here are the missing ingredients in the last work, here they are that one sees more clearly, riff after riff they make room for themselves in the, by now, clichéd indie scene. Freshness in Cribs style, guitar made in Strokes town, revisited and rehashed vocals. The white mat animated by the minimal rhythms of British origin is now even more widespread, however The Chimps don’t throw in the towel, they return to their own corner. The right time for reflecting upon missed hits immediately, a kiss on the gloves and they return to propose indie made in Italy. In the ring they dance in a different pattern, apparently unconcerned, the rhythm is new and with “4.20, the first track on second effort Road 2…, they reveal it to a public now more cynical and critical. The refrain is capable, however, of convincing the virgin listeners within the crowd, and the finale in a ballad stirs also those who already are familiar with them. They repropose and revamp their preceding works and they scream it without delay, impassioned, the same voice once insecure and now better polished. The results of this meticulous work of research, of intense jump rope training, they make themselves heard in a big way.
“It was a joke” confirms their complete, and at times excessive, admiration for Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi and company. They cash in a couple hits caused by this such fascination, a predictable movement with “Holy Mother of Damned Generation”, but the evolution has started, and the positive results are visible to the paying public. One can read it off the face of the adversary. The next upper cut thrown will be the last. The guitar work on “Untitled” leaves no doubts, sinking the blow, the tone is darker, a detail highlights the determined stare, then that scared and resigned opponent. The hook floats in the air for a few seconds.
The quintet from Siracusa succeeds at finding itself, grows at the technical level. The work has only just begun and its an uphill battle, yet they do not lack persistence. A first breath, motivation and creativity. Happy training.

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GUFETTO - 05th dicember 07 [...]

Alba Cosentino

“Road 2…” is the second EP from the Siricusian band The Chimps, a minidisk that adds four new tracks to the preceding EP, all of which are full of energy and excellent sound.

With this new undertaking one begins to know and appreciate the band more than previously possible.

“Road 2” shows the musical individuality of a group that little by little is producing some amazing music.

“4.20” is the first track of the EP, with a very distinct introduction, thanks also to the accompaniment of bass and drums that impressively support the entire piece.

“It Was a Joke” is, on the other hand, totally laden with energy, that little by little explodes thanks to the snare drum articulating well the tempo almost as if the protagonist and that runs in unisons with the voice of the singer of the group.

“Holy Mother of Damned Generation” is the seventh track, very powerful on the part of the guitars, highlighting riffs with a voice that adapts perfectly to the various changes in tempo, in perfect rock style of the song.

The Chimps are musically extroversive and mature to the right point.

This band will, without a doubt, continue to be talked about.

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L'URLO
08th november 07 [...]

Rebecca La Mela

Groups such as Interpol and The Strokes represented within their albums the name of new wave made popular by such acts as Joy Division and The Cure. In our corner of the world, we have The Chimps, five young men from Siracusa that bring forward the same mission as their cousins overseas did. Road 2, presented on the 29th of October, is composed of 8 tracks that are reminiscent of the sounds typical of albums such as “Is This It?”

To describe the tracks one by one is not helpful. Road 2 is a homogeneous and compact EP, except for the decline in style in “4.20”, that passes from the first part lightly and verdantly to a second part in ¾ guitar played in arpeggio that ruins the song. All of the tracks, like “One Two Three Star” or the extremely beautiful “Rainjune”, follow a logical formula in style and arrangement. That which struck me the most were the drums of Giuseppe Carbonaro, that at only 15 years of age, has mastery over the instrument (and an excellent ear, I would say!). The hottest track of Road 2, is the last track “Untitled (that is a direct throwback to “Untitled” off of Turn on the Bright Lights by Interpol), in which the agreement between the initial guitar riff recalls the beginning of “Slow Hands”; it transforms into a song worthy of the great tradition of Joy Division.

In summary, The Chimps breathe a fresh air into the Sicilian scene that still disregards the sweet and plentiful new wave of the 80’s. The band is still only at their second EP, however they demonstrate great mastery instrumentally and a great maturity of sound. Advice: Listen without interruption and dance to the rhythm of indie rock

MUSICMAP – 13th march 2007 [...]

Andrea Rossi

Ah! Surprise. Eyes open, better, ears open. Who are these people? The Chimps? Ok, noted. You know, we receive a lot of CDs every day, which we happily review, for you, but al also for us too. Most part of the times the level is high, but other times (very often) some stuff is really boring. Without insight or will. I’m not talking just about young unsigned bands, at all. I’m talking about major artists too. Then here it comes The Chimps CD. And we thank God for our job. Because is unusual to have talents like these guys. We all expect great things form this band, starting from their first EP “Road To..”. We trust in these guys.

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RADIOCOOP – 13th march 2007 [...]

Antonio Bacciocchi

From Sicily the promising EP by Crop Circe. Four tracks calling an English look alike new wave, between editors, Interpol, Franz Ferdinand. A well played and rearranged EP, Road To…suffer, anyway of its big inspirations, mut is a good starting point for future works.

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SUL PALCO– 8th march 2007 [...]

Fabio Igor Tosi

First self-production for Crop Circe. Five guys from Siracusa, who admit to take their inspirations from bands like The Strokes and Interpol, taking something for each song. We start with Catch A Dream a real revisitation of The Strokes with a quite identical guitar and lyrics, but, I must say, the track works. One Two Three Star is, instead, very surprising, rally close to Interpol sound, but with personality, especially in the vocal part. Many claps to Alex Graziano’s performance, spookish and aggressive to be catchy. He starts with rhythm but then relaxes to be more melodic, with a nice and magnetic effect. We go back to a Strokes-alike rock ballad with Rainjune, which ends with In Another Place, a mix between Strokes again (sound) and Interpol (voice), not bad. Anyway, the band is really young (the drummer is 16!) and really get on well together, with good musical taste, but there are some major musical pieces missing like Joy Division, Gun Club, Bauhaus, Talking Heads, Echo & The Bunnymen, etc.

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IN MUSICA – 3th mach 2007 [...]

Andrea Buongiorno

First demo for the rock band from Siracusa, described by the band itself as an appetizer for the forthcoming full lenght. Scrolling the notes, there’s an identifying surprise to consider, because behind those amazing drums there is just a 16-old lad, Giuseppe Carbonaro. A nice surprise which goes along this genuine underground work.

As a sound inspirations we find Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes, The Killers and The Cure. I’ve found in particular, many similarities with Robert Smith’s band, not only for what concerns the sound, but also considering the vocal performance, even if our singer is brighter and convinced. The Chimps’s sound is linked to an easy rock, not noisy but gentle. This is the main feature of the pop opening Catch A Dream or the next One Two Three Star, more rocking and with those guitars reminding of  XTC. Rainjune is a melodic track which works as and introduction to the bright atmosphere of In Another Place, the ending of a very well done demo, suitable for radio too.

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IL CIBICIDA - 24th february 2007 [...]

Emanuele Brunetto

Who told that outside UK, especially in Italy, English look-alike bands cannot exist? The Chimps form Sicily, a tiny carrier begun in 2005, are definitely into that new new wave which is so fashioned between smoky Old England and New York. These guys first edit is Road To..., a self-produced EP recorded at Open Gate Studios in Catania, which just let savour the lively verve of the band. Something you an easily see by yourself during their live performances.
The 4 unedited tracks in Road to..., although being very close to Interpol and The Strokes’ style, give the band a great personal imprint, even before the real release of a full length work. The lines drawn by the drums in every track, especially in the opener Catch A Dream are clean and harmonious, together with those catchy guitar refrains just like in One Two Three star and Rainjune. The ending track, In Another Place, instead, is worth the whole EP with those Yuppie Flu look-alike riffs (just to let you know, one of the leaders on the Italian indie scene). Above all, there is the great vocal performance of Alex Graziano: no exasperations or embezzlements over the band’s sound, just touchable passion. To sum up, it’s not necessary to cross the Channel or the Ocean to find good indie-wave. Sometimes what you’re looking for is just round the corner.

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