|
***The music of volcano! is an intense and exhilarating explosion of sound, with rusty hinges exposed and oil dripping from its gears. This young Chicago rock trio is unashamedly freeform in scope, but their songs are meticulously arranged and skillfully executed. Beautiful Seizure is their auspicious debut. There's formidable ambition in this sound: Sam Scranton drums in a frantic, disjointed style, less maintaining the beat than pushing the songs towards collapse; Mark Cartwright trades off bass and electronics, interjecting shards of brutal, pristine noise that distinguish volcano! from their peers; Aaron With's tumultuous guitar adds another layer of intensity, while his voice acts as a far-ranging net, collecting everything in a confident, sinewy delivery that recalls Black Francis' most ribald moments and Thom Yorke's most commanding-- sometimes violent, often vulnerable. Together, volcano! match the fervent dynamism of Deerhoof and Black Dice with the powerhouse innovation of PIL or The Ex, pushing traditional structures to their limits while maintaining a secure melodic footing throughout. The uninhibited emotional expression of Archie Shepp and Pharoah Sanders is another crucial influence. Like a psychedelic national anthem, 'Easy Does It' rides a taut wire of sound before spitting forth a fiery chorus. The song's off-kilter approach only really comes into focus after a few spins, and it's the reward of repeated hearings that finally sets volcano! into Favorite Band sphere. The Leaf Label has a long history of releasing adventurous, original and gifted artists from around the world, but for the first time in our ten-year history, we have found a rock band fit for inclusion. Volcano! tours America in fall '05 and Europe in 2006: their stunning live show, much like their record, is a spectacle to behold. 30-second MP3 excerpts: Kalamazoo Easy Fire Fire $40,000 Plus Interest Larchmontt's Arrival La Lluvia Red And White Bells Apple Or A Gun Frozen In Escape Before The Suburbs Hello Explosion Pulling My Face In And Out Of Distortion, I Blink Too Much |