What makes Fetch by Melt-Banana notable?

The album received critical acclaim for its innovative approach and marked a successful return to form for the band. It was praised for its concise track lengths and frenetic energy, drawing attention from both long-time fans and new listeners, contributing to the revival of interest in underground Japanese punk music. Fetch is Melt-Banana's first studio album in nearly six years, following the experimental release of Bacteria in 2007. At this point, the band had solidified their unique sound, blending elements of hardcore punk with avant-garde influences, establishing them as pioneers in the noise rock genre.

Fetch works well if you're into frantic bursts of playful chaos, wave-like dynamic shifts throughout and short tracks for quick engagement.

How many songs are on Fetch?

Fetch has 12 tracks, running approximately 32 minutes.

Released 13 years ago this October

Fetch

Melt-Banana · 2013

32 min · 12 tracks · hardcore punk

Frantic and angular, the album fuses hardcore punk with noise rock in a whirlwind of chaotic energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Candy Gun — Opening with explosive riffs and dizzying tempo changes, this track encapsulates Melt-Banana's signature chaotic sound while introducing listeners to their playful yet aggressive style.
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Infection Defective — This song features intricate guitar work layered over rapid-fire percussion, showcasing the band's technical prowess and lyrical absurdity that characterizes much of their work.
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Lie Lied Lies — With its catchy hooks and relentless pace, this track exemplifies the band's ability to blend melody with aggression, making it an engaging centerpiece of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Fetch combines chaotic energy with concise songwriting, showcasing Melt-Banana's unique sound within hardcore punk.

What we noticed

The album features short tracks, with most under two minutes, creating a relentless pace that rarely allows for breathing room.
Vocals are delivered in a rapid-fire manner, often overlapping with the instrumentation, contributing to the overall frenetic energy.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

frantic bursts of playful chaos
wave-like dynamic shifts throughout
short tracks for quick engagement
energetic listening for active moods

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer, cohesive pieces
seek straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context: Fetch is Melt-Banana's first studio album in nearly six years, following the experimental release of Bacteria in 2007. At this point, the band had solidified their unique sound, blending elements of hardcore punk with avant-garde influences, establishing them as pioneers in the noise rock genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Boredoms· Lightning Bolt· The Locust