Turnstile "Glow On" (2021)

 

Released just six weeks back, the Turnstile Love Connection EP had me hyped for something special... but when your four best tracks are those already shipped, well it had me initially disappointed. Turnstile, the Hardcore outfit from Baltimore USA, were put on my radar with Space & Time. Their lean and timely infusion of musical sounds normally spun far beyond the Hardcore scene was both a breath of fresh air and a riveting injection of adrenaline to a sound dulled by a lack of progression with time. Working on the same formula as that record, Glow On cushions the musical creativity with subtle use of electronic percussive toms and claps and the irritating cowbell. In the more obvious avenues, dazzling pianos weave between the sharp guitars in moments of melody beyond the rhythmic two-step onslaught.

In its predictable Hardcore persuasion, the band pull the usual tricks with tight and lean power chord shredding, building up to the big groove riffs as the drums cut to the half time and the mosh moments land the songs trajectory. Between its slabs of foot stomping riffage, sprinkles of color and melody intersperse. It often takes the form of Surf Rock, with washy, hazy guitar tones giving off the easy breezy summer vibes. On occasion a heartfelt emotional angle is reached as sung voices get warm and candid, not your usual cut for this aggressive music but they do it so well. Songs like Underwater Boi, Alien Love Call & New Heart mostly cut out the Hardcore, better defining this particular flavor that emerges in fractions on the rest of the album.

A favorite moment for me is not one of brilliance but confusion with Wild Wrld and its uncanny rhythm guitar riff. The bars are distinctly different, sounding like a Metallica outtake from the years of creative struggle around Death Magnetic. Its a mild blemish for a record that spins its formula so well. As I touched on earlier, that initial disappointment wore off. This record is fiery and driven, a band in their moment. For me it looses its edge in the shadow of what came before it, the design a carbon copy yet the feeling is still riveting. After quite a few spins, the best songs still feel like those from the EP. I'm left wondering if I wasn't aware of it, how different would my words on this record would be? I still get crazy excited every time Holiday comes on! What a banging song.

Rating: 7/10

The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" (1966)

Listed on Rolling Stone's "500 greatest albums of all time" at number 2 I felt compelled to check out this Beach Boys record. I mean, who doesn't like the beach boys? Fun loving Surf Rock with those timeless vocal harmonies. Well "Pet Sounds" shows of very different side of this band, or more so Brian Wilson who composed and produced the entire record, so much so you could call it a solo record if it wasn't for his band-mates laying down the backing vocals. Being the first Beach Boys record Ive given a proper listen I found most of what I knew about them to be missing. The catchy hooks, surf themes and chart topping, single oriented songs where no where to be found. The only familiarity were their voices which were always the main attraction.

Pet sounds is a strange kinda of melancholy. Through it all a bright, warm soul that's got heart beats away, uplifting and littered with colorful instruments it has a deep sorrow that's felt through Brian's lyrics of heartbreak and loneliness. Its insular and sweet hearted, the sadness seeps through a swell of beauty in the world of music he isolates himself in. A musically somber moment arrives on "Don't Talk" as an outreach of support and comfort in Brian's lyrics reveal such deep sorrow in the music has gesture has exposed. The experience as a whole creates such a unique image of a man torn between pain and beauty, and pouring it all into the music.

The music itself is a dense and intricate pallet as a whole host of instruments and sounds embark on a journey to play out memorable, moving melodies that come in layers, overlapping and intertwining to make up the themes. Subtle instruments and quiet calming sounds fill in all the gaps, even in the slower moments theirs a continual tapestry of fine noises to notice. In the percussive department claps, tambourines, and coconut hoofs expand the drum kit as well as bicycle bells and horns cropping up in places, its quite a delight to hear such care put into it all. With flutes, organs, strings, guitars, pianos and a seemingly endless list of instruments, they all join into delightfully simple, easy to follow and cohesive songs.

Quite often the classic vocal harmonization's drift from the main focus of these songs, grand and captivating in their moments, Brain's voice and his music holds it own alone and some of the vocal lines feel like another instrument, its actually really soothing how they fit in with the instruments and become apart of the song in that way. Much could be said for the lyrics and themes but they are relatively direct and the sorrowful moments come across with sometimes blunt "This is the worst trip Ive ever been on" and sometime poetic words. Ive grown so very fond of this record and quite simply can't put it down. One day this will be a favorite of mine, I look forward to all the times I can enjoy it again.

Favorite Songs: You Still Believe In Me, Don't Talk, Pet Sounds, Caroline No

Rating: 9/10

Dead Kennedys "Frankenchrist" (1985)

The Dead Kennedys are a legendary American Hardcore Punk group from California who developed a large underground following in the 80s. They had a short lived life-span, forming in 78 and disbanding a year after this record having become disillusioned with their own music scene that no longer represented what they stood for. They were involved in a few controversies but time has served them well, their music and legacy often held in high regard. I was introduced to them around eight years ago and I knew one day It with click with me, and that's what happened! Listening to Black Flags "Damaged" got me in the mood for more Hardcore Punk and I picked out this record having recently learned about the HR Giger artwork controversy that took the band to court following Frankenchrist's release. I can't believe its taken me so long, but now I adore this band.

This record really sucked me in, Its got a lot of energy and quickly I found myself running and working out to it, making the most of the exuberant, youthful energy the music and lyrics filled me with. It didn't take long understand their sound, there are some very distinctive accents that flavor the Hardcore Punk sound. Slower tempos and guitars leads with a western flick vibe make there mark on the songs flirting with tinges of Surf Rock and Psychedelia in between its aggressive and angry Punk core. The creativity flows freely through a track listing of distinct songs with variety in plentiful amounts. Its either riffs, vocal hooks, guitar leads or Biafras politically and socially charged lyrics, each track has a distinct quality and from start to end the group roll out brilliant ideas one after another, even extending to interesting song structures.

The records production does a lot for it. The guitar leads have a raw and hazy tone that comes to life in a recording that fills the space with a big hall feel, creating a ton of atmosphere. The drums and vocals feel more contained and muted in comparison, but its a rocking chemistry and the bass is gorgeous, deep and tonal, rattling and pounding away, often leading the march and throughout the album its very audible, its texture contributing a thick backbone under the spacious guitars. Even some Mexican horns crop up in "MTV Get Of the Air" record, alongside the western guitars they fit right in. The following track "At My Job" drops the guitars for a big synthetic saw wave lead emphasizing the horror show circus vibe of the track. Again, it fits right in.

Whatever the Dead Kennedys set out to do its done with style and substance and the record is littered with inventive approaches, especially front man Jello Biafra who's charged and thought provoking lyrics come wrapped in a variety of deliveries that range from driving sing along hooks to moody theatric play acting. Everything about this record was a delight and I still can't get enough of it.

Favorite Tracks: This Could Be Anywhere, Chicken Farm, MTV Get Off The Air, At My Job, Stars And Stripes Of Corruption
Rating: 8/10