The instrumental prowess displayed on this self-titled release is often times abrasive, sometimes psychedelic, can become monotonous due to the heavy (excessive!) repetition of a riff cycle, and might even be tedious to listen to at times for the same reason as on the previous point, but there is always a sense of fun imbued within this brand of sonic abuse. Clearly these guys enjoy what they're doing and it shines through this album's 8 tracks. Any album with a song -- two, actually -- entitled "Mr. Wiggles Goes to Hell" has to be good, right?

It is perhaps interesting to note that an "axolotyl" (more properly spelled "axolotl") is is an aquatic salamander noted for its appearance and remaining in its aquatic larval form even as a sexually-mature adult, and not undergoing metamorphosis into a terrestrial form. The track by this name rambles along perhaps like a salamander of this type might. In a Mexican mountain lake. Never mind.

When Trephine hits, they crush. Unfortunately, the band's brand of music often seems postured and subsequently pretentious. They are definitely an original act and I bet they kill in the live setting. Small doses of this record are what this doctor recommends as consuming the entire thing at once may leave a foul taste in your mouth. Like you licked a salamander, maybe.

written by Tony Belcher

Playing time: 39.49