Guitarist/vocalist Dani Neff, drummer Zack Humphrey and bassist Greg Yancey recorded an impressive, spectacular album filled with garage-rock, metallic edginess and aggressive, fast-paced songs. Generally heavier rock than I’d listen to but I’ve fallen in love with Dani Neff’s vocals and feminist spirit.
Neff possesses a potent, versatile voice which reminds me of Garbage’s Shirley Manson. She’s phenomenally talented and expressive through her vocals and guitar shredding. Dani Neff was named Austin’s Best Electric Guitarist by the Austin Chronicle. She’s also a lawyer, feminist, dancer, musician, painter, reiki practitioner. What’s there not to like?
Dani’s voice expresses so many distinct emotions and provides lightness to the darker music that the band pieces together. Generous riffs and heavy drums carry you through “Hug from a Robot” in which Dani sings sweetly. “Time to Go” opens with catchy arrangements and lovely lyrics. There are so many layers to this album. “Haunted Factory” is a bit of an anthem. Thing get a bit twangy on “This Town,” a fun, quick, sultry song. Ending with “Chromatic Fantasy,” a rip-roaring beautiful mediation on goals, pulls everything together. You’ll get something different out of it after every listen–peeling yet another layer from the complex compositions. This is a superbly gifted band and its sophomore album Maximalist showcases those inherent talents.
Maximalist
Label: Danimal Kingdom
Release Date: April 15th, 2014
MEGAFAUNA LIVE:
04/19 Austin, TX @ Mohawk Outside – Album release party/SXSWcares Fundraiser
04/23 New Orleans, LA @ Hi Ho
04/24 Atlanta, GA @ Mammal Gallery
04/25 Athens, GA @ Go Bar
04/26 Raleigh, NC @ Slim’s
04/27 Durham, NC @ Motorco
04/30 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
05/01 New York, NY @ Knitting Factory
05/02 Boston, MA @ Allston Rock City Hall
05/03 Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre
05/07 Toronto, ON, Canada Music Week @ Hard Luck Bar
05/08 Toronto, ON, Canada Music Week @ Bovine Sex Club
05/11 Ferndale, MI @ The New Way
05/13 Chicago, IL @ The Burlington
05/14 Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn
05/15 St. Louis, MO @ The Demo
05/16 Hot Springs, AR @ Maxine’s Live
05/17 Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silverleaf
05/28 El Paso, TX @ Low Brow
05/29 Tuscon, AZ @ Sky Bar
05/30 Los Angeles, CA @ Casey’s Irish Pub
06/04 Costa Mesa, CA @ Casa
06/06 Los Angeles, CA @ Los Globos
06/08 Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar
06/11 San Francisco, CA @ Brick and Mortar
06/14 Seattle, WA @ The Sunset
06/18 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
06/19 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
06/20 Boulder, CO @ Illegal Pete’s
06/21 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister Bar
ENTERTAINMENT REALM 
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