Record Label: Whiteroom Records
Genre: Post-Punk
Band Link: link
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As I’m trying to stop the flow of crappy singer/songwriter crap that gets sent to me, I almost didn’t review this. That would’ve been a big mistake. Perhaps… a fatal one.

Because this shit is cool. The first song begins with a twangy country-like shuffle, then the fuzzy indie guitars, then the tortured post-punk shouting. It’s hard to picture, but it’s an unexpected cool sound. Other songs have varying degrees of spazzed-out vocals and indie drone, but all with funky, driven rhythms, weird percussion, and a left-from-center, energetic take on post-punk.

I’m sure this combination sounds noisily irritating, but Scott Marrow – who plays all the instruments – is never indulgent. Songs are kept around two minutes, and for all the zaniness, it’s very palatable, even slightly Pixies-ish. Vocals, which are distorted, are kept clear and within acceptable sonic boundaries. And knowing that they’re percussion and vocal-heavy, the guitars are kept simple and melodic to avoid an avalanche of noise.

As far as spazzy post-punk goes, this is interesting, fun stuff, and it rarely dips into unlistenable territory. It’s a tenuous structure in a tough genre that pushes listeners away, but Marrow keeps it songful to pull you in.

Bottom Line: A delicate balance of noise and rhythm-driven melody.
Notable Tracks: Didn’t Mean To Say I Told You So, I Don’t Love You Like That, Father’s Old Records
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