Album review: MARISA AND THE MOTHS – What Doesn’t Kill You

Tonesick Records [Release date 03.05.24]

I first became aware of Marisa And The Moths during Lockdown and they ultimately produced some excellent stripped back versions of their songs, not least a truly wonderful version of ‘Choke’. At that time they also had Sophie Lloyd in their ranks but the guitarist left soon after. I assume she had become a major distraction judging by her solo videos/marketing that followed.

This is MATM’s second album and they completed a successful series of UK dates following release in early May. We’ve already had a sneak preview of songs with the release of an EP in early 2023 and this lends an air of familiarity for those who have followed them since.

The band are fronted by Marisa Rodriguez who also writes the material. This reflects a number of prominent (and topical) issues – borne from personal experience – reflected in songs like ‘Gaslight’ and ‘Wither Away’. Great support throughout from guitarist Alessio D’Elia, bass player Liam James Barnes and drummer Alex Ribchester.

‘Cursed’ is an unexpected and confident opener, a ballad that benefits from a symphonic backing and puts the band firmly in Evanescence-style quality territory. Halestorm will be another band that springs to mind.

Elsewhere the album is a mix of grungey and angsty rockers like ‘Get It Off My Chest’ and ‘Who Are You Waiting For’. An uplifting chorus is never far away and only ‘Devil You Know’ deviates slightly with an untypical shouty metalcore vocal (Marisa otherwise excels throughout).

This – an album borne out of societal frustration, broken relationship and mental/health issues – is a torch for Marisa to carry forward. Rock’s Taylor Swift for the Gen-Z’s? ****

Review by David Randall

UK dates
Jun 07: Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Jun 08: Newcastle Grove

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)