Carmel Apple Pop – Super Sexy (2009)

Carmel Apple Pop – Super Sexy (2009) I never thought I’d find one of the most extraordinary bands in Tel Aviv, Israel!
What a mistake!!!
And that’s when I realise how impossible it is to discover all the talent I’d like to know about.

For anyone who’s curious and loves the mix of Jazz Metal, Alternative, Funky, Progressive Rock, Metal, Jazz, Rock, Israeli Rock, Funk Metal!

Carmel Apple Pop has deliberately made a mistake in its name. As if to bring Carmel closer to a well-known first name like Carmen.

Note that the real Caramel Apple Pop is a lollipop with a caramelised apple flavour!
Which has its own Wikipedia page, by the way, whereas this little-known band doesn’t have one.

This band has made three other albums entitled: Pancho, 12 Hour Ceasefire and Funny/Not Funny.
They also made a 5-track EP using only demos.

Judging by Spotify, it’s the Funny/Not Funny tracks that get the most plays, so I take it that’s the most successful album.

I came across this gem simply by trying to find lots of instrumental alternative indie rock bands with saxophones. What a slap in the face!

The band has no shortage of humour, power, creativity or talent…

The main band is made up of :

Niv Majar – drums, toys, radio, samples
Chen Guttman – bass
Mike Tishler – vocals
Gilad Bronshtein – Saxophone
Dror Pikielny – guitars, toys

With special guests :

Igor Krutugolov – Saw and voice
Tzahi Carmona – Trumpet
Ronen Harten – vocals
Roy Kafri – vocals and accordion
Iyar Stav – Piano
Danny Litani – Vocals

All the lyrics are by Dror Pikielny, with the exception of ‘Erlich in The Natural Habitat’ by Niv Majar.
All the music is by Dror Pikielny, except ‘Fool’ – Dror Pikielny and Niv Majar, ‘Too Nice’ – Dror Pikielny and Chen Guttman,
‘Victor in Kiryat Sharet’ – Dror Pikielny and Gilad Bronshtein, “Victor in The River# Blue^$ Water” – Dror Pikielny and Iyar Stav

As you will have gathered, Dror Pikielny, the guitarist, is the brain, if not the genius, of the band. He writes the lyrics and the music, although everyone makes a major contribution. The bassist, the saxophonist and even the guest pianist have helped out and have partially written at least one song on the album. The same goes for the drummer, who also did all the paintings for the band.

The cover and booklet were designed by Nitza and Bread, surely close friends and family. Produced and arranged by Niv Majar, Dror Pikielny and Carmel Apple Pop.

So much for all the technical details!

It’s really hard to discover bands like this who don’t have much of anything on Wiki, Soundcloud or on physical media such as CD or vinyl… or else only in their own country.

You can find two of their albums on Youtube and three on Spotify. For the rest, check out Bandcamp.

The band sings in their native language, although there are touches of English or some sort of voice-over taken from the radio or TV.
The singer’s voice is reminiscent of Stone Temple Pilots. It can also be reminiscent of Korn in its aggression and madness. With a perfect mastery of instruments,

Carmel Apple Pop mixes Rock, Funk and Metal with disconcerting ease, while also passing through Ska and Gypsy moments. And you can tell the band are having fun. There are occasional laughs, more or less exaggerated. The trumpet also imitates laughter, and the sax sometimes cries. We hear toys, moments where we hear the voice of Donald Duck, probably imitated by one of the members. There’s some delirium, some festivity, some sounds that may seem unbearable, some animal cries, but also quite a few human cries!

Yes, this Super Sexy will undoubtedly be the least sexy for those looking for quiet, serious, harmonious music. No Jazzy Lounge with sensual female vocals here.
No !!!
Here, we’re treated to Punk, all kinds of totally mastered childishness, dissonance, a guy who looks like he’s suffocating while crying, with a romantic piano background, a huge moan coming out of the back of his throat before the keyboard gives way to a bass that takes up all the space.

Basically, anything is possible with this band, which is very reminiscent of Primus (and therefore of course also of Oysterhead), passing through Morphine and Attention Deficit, while landing squarely on Frank Zappa. If you have no idea what these mixes sound like, go and have a listen. You’ll soon see if it’s your thing or not!

Apparently, they stopped in 2015… but I suppose fans are eagerly awaiting their return with high hopes.

My Rating