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Album Reviews
i can lick any SOB in the house
put here to bleed
2003, In Music We Trust, Inc.
Since the advanced copy of this album didn't have a title on it, I dubbed it Songs to Witness the End of the World To (SWEWT). It is chalk-full of existential southern harsh brutality. Lead preacher, Mike Damron has too much drawl to actually be from Portland, but who do you know that is actually from here anyway?
SWEWT is get under your fingernails but you don't much care much 'cause you're gonna get dirty anyway kind of music. After one listen, it's clear Mike has a credo: Live free while you still can. Every song is a foot-stompin' excercise in the reality that life is a series of beginnings and endings. In the gospel according to Damron he doesn't claim to know what comes next and moreover he simply doesn't care, he just likes them in between parts. On the track, "In the Mud" he tell's us:
"heaven ain't up there in them blue skies above/it's down here, 'neath my feet, 'tween my toes, in the mud."
Fuck, yeah! And in "Twerp" he commits his last few precious moments to "spend(ing) the apocalypse drunk and passed out on the floor." What else would you expect from a guy that names his band I Can Lick Any Son Of A Bitch In The House?
The sentimental ballad, "Gone as they Go," seems a bit misplaced in the revelations laden SWEWT but forgiveness, I hear, is divine. I guess he can't lick everyone in the house. But there is enough licking going on on this disc to last you through Judgment Day and the fiery pits in Hades that I'm sure awaits everyone that listens to it. Which is perfectly fine with this listener because S.O.B. will undoubtedly be the house band in whichever club the devil will be partying in. I just hope Mike D. has the heart to put me on the guest list. -SH
Witness the rock @ The Twilight May 16
www.icanlickanysob.com
Railer
Frame of Mind
2002 Resolute Records
This month, Railer is celebrating a year in Portland. That is, one year ago, founding member, Randall Scott, moved to Portland from Alaska. Now, with a new album, an award from KNRK, and the opening spot for Thrill Kill Cult, the band may be a little younger than a year, but they are certainly celebrating.
If I was 16, I would love this band. As it is, they remind me of a simpler (more entertainable) time. I imagine 2 or 3 of this 5-piece were at some of the same Machines of Loving Grace shows as I was. I imagine they don't much care what people think. I imagine that if you're uninhibited enough to admit that you're into good, danceable, 80's-style synth-pop with lyrics about kissing and longing, then you're going to love this band.
It wouldn't be an accurate review to avoid mentioning Depeche Mode as a major influence on this band. It's not in every song, but when it happens you'll swear that Dave Gahan was calling regularly to check on the progress of the recording. Whatever your taste, you have to admit that this band is really good at what they do, and much better than most of the pop artists making money. Not to take away from what is happening on this album. For example, sometimes the distorted guitar that comes charging in on the right-side channel pushes my buttons so well that I want to jump around and swing my arms. Not only that, if I end up seeing this band live, I imagine that I will do just that.
My suggestion is to see this group before deciding on getting the album. Given that most bands do better on stage than on record, I'd bet that they'll make even the most timid closet nin fan find a pulse. If this is true for you, the album will be one of your favorites this year. Basically, this is a really good record. -DA
www.railerband.com
Bastinado
A Taste of Western Justice
2003 Funeral Ninja Records
Bastinado is, you know, that 30.06 guy's band. In true Northwest-rocker form, as soon as Thirty Ought Six put out a great album, they broke up. April 26, 1996, exactly 7 years ago, guitarist David Blunk and his band were on the verge of—well, we'll never know. Fast-forward to today, and Blunk is still trying to salvage what fell apart when his last band broke up. There's no reason to think he can't do it. This six song EP, A Taste of Western Justice, is damn good indie rock.
The opening/title track reminds me of the first time I heard NoMeansNo. I was a senior in high school, growing up in a religious community, and figuring out that music was more than hymnals and top 40. I bought Sex Mad/You Kill Me because I liked the cover art and then listened to it in my headphones during seminary. Church became much less interesting at that point. The similarities between these two bands (sparse guitar, shouted background vocals, super-roomy drum tracks) is enough to endear me to this album immediately. The more I've listened to it, though, the more I love this song on its own merit.
The second and 4th songs are emo to emo/punk. Loud, soft, loud, soft. Technically proficient guitar lines with guitarist-turned-bassist low-end. I like these two songs the least, which isn't to say that I don't like them at all. I prefer songs like Master Cylinder, though, which is track 3. It's double time snare and hi-hat, eloquently double-tracked vocals and thoughtful lyrics about self-doubt make it my favorite on the EP.
In Rugby Dance you hear the first inkling of what this band sounds like live. Here we are on the 5th song, toward the end of the track, and Blunk finally kicks on the distortion pedal. Then, after just 2 phrases, it's gone again. It's like almost sneezing, and really makes me want to see this band in a club.
The last song, Aunt S. Cared, is an instrumental that sounds like what Slint was probably doing in the practice room between Tweez and Spiderland. 5/4 time signature with proggy bass line repeating like a sample. Neat song.
All in all, my biggest complaint about this album is that it's too short. The 6 songs fall just under 13 minutes. The arrangement is as good as anything else I've ever heard. One song flows into the next perfectly, with just the right amount of dead space, and in less time than it takes to get a bill collector off the phone, the album has ended and you're ready to listen to it again. Order the album for 5 bucks through the mail, or go see them live. -IB
www.bastinado.net
Minmae
My Quiet Life
2002 Airborne Virus
Minmae's album, My Quiet Life, is like listening to the hypnogogic state of David Lynch. It is a fantastically lo-fi minimalistic experience akin to sitting in a large bubble and watching projections of somebody else's thoughts unfold around you. Unfortunately, I'm not really allowed to say much more because this album is a year old but I can tell you that S. Brooxx and Co. are putting out a new one in a few months which I am eagerly awaiting to review. If it's anything like this one I will be happy. -SH
www.creativecompute.net/airborneviru
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