The first time I saw Treasure MammaL perform, three people in my row received lap dances from a member of the band. The group disregarded the boundaries of The Firehouse Gallery’s stage to end First Friday Night Live with an uncomfortably intriguing bang — or rather, with the stretch of their usual spandex bodysuits.
Now, Treasure MammaL’s latest full-length, “I Will Cut You With My EBT Card,” provides the same intrigue that launched the band’s performances into local fame.
Released Nov. 7 on hand-poured vinyl and digitally, following a release show at The Trunk Space, the album preaches about everyday life and struggles in a fashion that could crush Panic! At the Disco’s claim to be the “pretty odd” band of America.
Perhaps the greatest highlight on the album was “Creepin’,” a track that openly provides a big “f**k you” to jealous, snooping girlfriends behind a heavy dose of synth tunes. Not only is it relatable (admit it, we either know or we are the Ms. or Mr. Jealous of relationships), but it perfectly demonstrates Treasure MammaL’s ability to master the art of catchy pop songs without falling into the mainstream. Despite my lack of appreciation for the majority of genres displayed within the song, I felt the urge to dance as I listened to the track in a near-empty university hallway.
The shunning words of “Creepin’” followed a theme set by the first song on the album: “Cassettes.” The commencing track shuns digital music, embodying the cassette punk culture of downtown music. As Treasure MammaL sang about the unique, hypnotic abilities of cassettes, I found myself pleasantly drowning in the hypnotic vibe of the song.
Another song worthy of many listens is “Postcard.” Now, for those that have never heard of Treasure MammaL before, I do not advise this to be their first listen, simply because the song is deceiving. Sure, it sings “meow,” mentions Pomeranians and has a synth-filled ending — but the song is so (relatively) mellow and relaxing that it could make potential fans too used to normalcy. Even I almost believed the band was completely sane for the first half of the song.
Despite the fact that it fails to scream “Treasure MammaL” to me, I still adore the song. “Postcard” is definitely the best feel-good track on the album.
Fans searching for Miley Cyrus on the album, after Treasure MammaL’s feature on a 2014 The Flaming Lips-curated album alongside the oddball mainstream act, do not need to look any further than “Bola De Demolicion.” The track is a Spanish cover of “Wrecking Ball,” later meshed with the repetition of “twerk” and heavy metal-esque sounds.
“Bola De Demolicion” is the prime example of songs on the album that I don’t necessarily like, but I can’t help but appreciate. After all, who else but Treasure MammaL would even conjure up such a concept, much less bring it to life?
To bring more flashbacks to the band’s work on “With a Little Help From My Fwends,” The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne is featured on the nearly 9-minute track “Manifest Destiny’s Child,” as promised. The song fuses Treasure MammaL’s characteristic sounds with guitar jams; and for some reason, it works.
I am sure I asked myself “What the hell did I just listen to?” multiple times in my run-throughs of the album, rendered speechless by the obscure music and the absurdity of the truth. Yet, Treasure MammaL provided me with a fondness for the album that I still can’t logically explain.
“I Will Cut You With My EBT Card” will leave you feeling brainwashed into enjoyment, and perhaps that’s not a bad thing.
Contact the columnist at Emily.Liu@asu.edu
