What an interesting time it is to revisit Scottish three-piece The Twisted Melons and their EP ‘Start of the End’, which was released at the end of last year.
During their time on the Scottish music scene, which adds up to well over a decade, they have established themselves as a band who utilise their music as a means of political protest.
The musical ability of the band never fails to perfectly accompany, and enhance, the strength and power in their lyrics and ‘Start of the End’ is arguably an example of The Twisted Melons doing this at their best.
As well as the title track the EP contains ‘Face May Change’ and ‘The Madman is Sure’ – each tune containing its own individual sonic style and fervent lyrical message.
The opening song displays a strong juxtaposition between the buoyant, folk-influenced music and the poignant lyrics, which tell the tale of a relationship that is slowly coming to an end.
The music and lyrics flow exceptionally well together, with a chorus which repeats the lyric “This is the start of the end/And we know it.” It is a memorable track, which opens the EP in a promising way.
The tone shifts entirely as we move on to ‘Face May Change’. There is no more talk of romance or relationships – instead we are exposed to the harsh reality of Britain’s political situation.
‘Face May Change’ presents itself as an attack on our unwillingness to accept that the same catastrophic issues and problems continue to arise time and again in our political system. Musically, it consists of prominent guitar riffs and heavy drums which combine to create a distinctly rock-influenced sonic style.
We hear the lyrics, “Though the face may change / The ideas remain the same” and we are also presented with excerpts from speeches made by British political figures, such as Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. The inclusion of these speeches is highly impactful, as it assists the band in putting across their message of anger and protest, whilst reminding us of why they are doing so.
The lyrics within the track are prophetic, poetic and stirring, and make very clear that the band’s intention is not to pontificate or patronise their listeners.
The final track ‘The Madman Is Sure’ presents 7 minutes and 17 seconds of lyric-less music. It successfully highlights the musicianship that The Twisted Melons possess, as well as their ability to communicate a powerful message both lyrically and sonically.
The track would feature perfectly as a backdrop to the injustice and prejudice present in our political and social system today – something that the band so strongly oppose in their music. It is hypnotic, structured and poignant – a perfect way to close an exceptional EP.
Listening to these tracks in April of 2020, four months following their release, we understand that our political system has sadly made no improvements. However, in the era of COVID-19, we can turn to The Twisted Melons to release relatable and inspiring music, which mirrors our frustration and sorrow with regards to the politics around us.