WHO ARE THEY? A Chicago power trio that carries a red-hot torch for post-punk and alt-rock noisemakers like Hüsker Dü, Swervedriver, Jawbreaker and Drive Like Jehu. And before you ask, yeah, there are a lot of Chicago acts getting reviewed today. Total coincidence.
WHAT IS THIS? Their third collection of distorted guitar slashes, primally thundering drums and ragged chestbeating vocals aimed straight at the pit.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? There’s no getting around the fact that these guys sound almost exactly like Hüsker Dü most of the time. Not that I’m complaining. Thankfully, they also manage to inject enough of their own personality into the proceedings to keep from sounding like wannabes.
WHAT WOULD BE A BETTER TITLE FOR THIS ALBUM? Apparently, Lightning Does Strike Twice.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? With your friendly neighbourhood Hüsker Dü fan — just to see them flip their wig.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Old-school, blazing, serrated, fierce, bloodthirsty, frenzied, chaotic, overpowering, rugged, swaggering.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? High-volume, high-octane assaults like As I Bleed, Death Wave, Cast Iron Life and Kick the Clouds.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY? ‘I wonder if Bob Mould has ever heard these guys and thought, “I don’t remember writing these songs.” ‘
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? Hey, it’s not like Bob and co. are making any new albums.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE A VEHICLE, WHAT KIND OF VEHICLE WOULD IT BE? An old Econoline van with 500,000 miles on the odometer.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL IT? Set your sights on the stream.
