| records |
One of the most talked about bands in the US post hardcore/punk/whatever good music with guitars is called these days, scene of recent times. Their last album was a lot like if their mentors and label owners Fugazi went new wave. The latest album sees them slimmed to a three piece, with a resultant airy, but seriously dub influenced sound that reminds me of loads of early 80's UK bands like The Slits, A Certain Ratio, Rip Rig And Panic and even Orange Juice, but filtered through the bands obviously careful study of their esteemed hardcore label's roster. That they have the necessary political element is evident from Soft Pyramids a study of homelessness, How Can We Ask For A Blanket And A Habitat which is several million times more affecting than 'Another Day In Paradise' and has some fucking amazing percussion. The drums and the moments when the dubby bass parts kick in are probably the most interesting parts on this record. Label owner and Fugazi main-man Ian Mckaye's open production lays the arrangements out to great effect, particularly on Snow Patterns which is a fantastic mιlange of arpeggio'd guitar, busy drums and double tracked vocals. They do hark more obviously to their Washington DC forbears on the more scratchy, shouty numbers, Black Plastic Bag and Everybody Ruins but even then they have flashes of inspiration like the bizarre choir that opens the latter song and the weird edit that cuts this back in over the straight ahead 4/4 tune. All in all the most, one of the most accomplished, imaginative and emotive guitar records of the year. Ian Unpeeled (the zine that covers the John Peel shows, info from shane@unpeeled.freeserve.co.uk) |