No genre of music has managed to both continuously elate and repel me as much as hardcore punk. Within the confides of hardcore seems to exist a dichotomy in which bands are either ground breaking, intense, and exhilarating or completely banal, derivative, and uninspired. What separates the cream from the crap is usually an element of deviation, innovation, or thematic importance. Minor Threat instigated straight-edge philosophy into the genre, Husker Du experimented with classic rock templates, while Flipper slowed down the rhythms of their songs from hardcore’s usual breakneck pace. And while innovation seems almost lost to us within the new millennium, there are still some groups who continue doing service to the genre. I present to you as evidence Allentown, Pennsylvania’s Pissed Jeans. Some fortunate souls may have stumbled upon their 2007 release Hope for Men, probably only due to its release on Subpop records. Those expecting another spirited indie-pop release akin to the Shins or Postal Service would be greatly shocked to instead hear abrasive guitars, a pulverizing rhythm section, and barking/yelped vocals by one Matt Korvette, who lyrical content often dealt with rudimentary and every day subject matter such as eating ice cream or cleaning up the house. Pissed Jeans follow it up with the aptly titled King of Jeans, a release that takes the template of their previous work and manages to increase the volume, tenacity, and humour of their previous material. Korvette is back singing about unconventionally everyday subject matter from wanting a back rub to watching an R-rated movie, but with such gusto and vehemence that he makes the subject seem profound in importance. The songs themselves are a little more constructed this time around with more electronic effects, distorted guitars, and overdubbing than their previous release. It sounds like the type of release the group labored over, one that expands upon what they have done before yet codifies their love of hardcore legends Flipper and Black Flag. King of Jeans is neither bloated nor excessive because of this extra detailing; this record remains, and even surpasses Hope for Men, in its intensity and barrage of noise. Fans of SST’s back catalogue ought to love this, and for any jaded former scenesters who stubbornly declare hardcore a dead genre, this album is a sure “shut the fuck up” just for them.
Listen To: She is Science Fiction, Spent, False Jesii, Pt. 2
Listen To: She is Science Fiction, Spent, False Jesii, Pt. 2
RIYL: Black Flag, Flipper, Circle Jerks
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Interesting!
ReplyDeleteThe latest fashion trend in apparels today is the skinny jeans that give you a lean look. However, if you are unable to get into those, you would also be happy to put on those wide legged pants or trousers that are also hot with the fashionistas. When worn with a short narrow top and a slim fit jacket along with high heel shoes, this combination would look cool and give you that much longed for lean look.
Try it out this season!