Originally planned as a full-length LP, Vancouver’s pop-soul darlings Chains of Love decided instead to break the Misery Makers project into a series of EPs. Volume 1 was released on November 5th of 2013, with the second installment due out on March 25, 2014 care of Manimal Vinyl/Light Organ.
Again recorded by the band’s incendiary guitarist Felix Fung and producer Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, the Raveonettes), the unwavering conviction of frontwoman Nathalia Pizzaro is all over Misery Makers Vol. 2The whole band seems more confident in their sound, moving away from obvious Detroit Cobras style ’60s girl group soul influences to a more broad yet distinctive feel, retaining the enthusiasm for classic, catchy song-writing.
There’s a lot to dig in the six tracks that make up Misery Makers Vol. 2. Pizzaro almost sounds like Tragic Kingdom-era Gwen Stefani on the opening “I Know,” a pop-rock ditty driven by organs, twangy guitars, warm bass, and rich backing vocals, with a stuttering drum heightening tension in the chorus. The title track is a dramatic, soul-searching affair, with commanding lead vocals from Pizzaro over a dreamy rock instrumental, underpinned by light strings and softly echoing guitars. Epic show stopper “So Low” brings the EP home on something of a ’70s arena rock symphony.
Whether a third installment is on the way is yet unclear, but the press release notes that the band is planning to head into the studio with Binky Griptight (bassist for Sharon Jones + The Dap-Kings). Sounds like the universe is playing out the way it’s supposed to.
PopMatters is proud to premiere the stream of Misery Makers Vol. 2 below.