[music]
Japanimation Boris’ experimental rock doesn’t alienate If The Land of the Rising Sun has a holy trinity of experimental heavy rock bands, it would be made up of Eternal Elysium, Church of Misery and Boris. While all three bands launched their careers in the ’90s, Boris
remains the most prolific into the second decade of the 2000s, and is probably the most familiar to stateside audiences due to relatively frequent tours. The easiest comparison to make to the band’s sound would be to the Melvins; the Japanese trio takes its name from the opening track of that venerable band’s essential Bullhead record. It’s a fair comparison too, given the wide influences and experimental choices that Boris makes that are as likely to alienate fans as thrill
them. Based in the heaviest of doom metal, the band doesn’t hesitate to infuse their sound with pop, drone or any other sound that catches its ear. Noise, the band’s 19th release, is no different. Opener “Melody” has an almost jangly, 1990s alt-rock feel to it, yet “Heavy Rain” is as thick, slow and droning as anything the Melvins ever did, only with airy, female vocals. “Angel” clocks in at nearly 19 minutes and can only be described as a soundscape that begs for headphones and, perhaps, some form of brain-altering substance acquired in the gray areas of legality. I’d be lying if I said I have much patience for experimentation in my heavy music, but something in the way Boris pulls it off works. It’s an exciting, interesting listen, and Noise is an excellent starting point for those curious about the band. (Chris La Tray) Boris plays Stage 112 Thu., Aug. 14, at 10 PM. $18/$15 advance. 18-plus.
Lenguas Largas, Come On In If you’ve ever wondered what a flock of freaky rockand-roll trumpeter swans sounds like, just aim your earholes toward the tripped out sounds of Tuscon’s Lenguas Largas’ new release, Come On In. But don’t get too attached, as these guitarists are seemingly able to conjure any tone, anytime. The title track brings to mind the slithering leads of Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein, while “Lower Profile” is reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr.’s J. Mascis and the best of his ’90s slide whistle hot licks. “Mr. Reviewer Feller,” you’re probably saying, “you are prone to hyperbolic similes and lazy, dated analogies—can these guys play cowpunk, too?” Indeed, Dear Heart, the riffery on “Circles” will make you bow to your partner, corner salute, circle left and go lickety-scoot. Quickly, though, “Circles” takes a promenade off a short pier and begins croaking with wah-wah and dirty ol’ bass as the ostensibly bummed-out vocalist, Isaac Reyes, repeats the refrain, “Who needs a day when the sun’s not shinin’?” For a song
that is half the length of a Missoula stoplight, it’s mighty powerful stuff. Who does Reyes sound like anyway? Bobby Darin? Jay Reatard? A crazed pysch-rock super clown called Syphilitic Steve? All of the above. While Reyes’ voice is often layered in echo and buried in a soundslide of guitar, dude can sing. “No Wrong, No Right,” especially, shows Reyes doing his best and Lenguas Largas channeling all its skills. Any song, or band for that matter, that can at once summon comparisons to Sam Cooke’s “Cupid” as well as David Bowie’s “Win” from Young Americans, all while sounding utterly like itself, is aces. (Jason McMackin) Lenguas Largas plays Total Fest Sat., Aug. 16, at the Badlander with Kitten Forever, Mint Mile, Wimps, American Cream, Toupee and more. Doors at 7:30. $20/$55 full three-day pass. Visit totalfest.org for schedule and tickets.
Gaytheist, Hold Me...But Not So Tight Gaytheist’s greatest gift is making the most of two minutes. The mixture of a thrashing guitar complete with crunchy riffs and heavy bass under Justin Rivera’s tenor wail leads to quick satisfaction on almost every song. The Portland trio takes the fun and brevity of The Minutemen and sharpens it with the voracious posthardcore of Glassjaw, but the sum of this comparison is greater than its parts. Hold Me...But Not So Tight, released in 2013, is the fourth release in the band’s consistent sounding catalog. Not much changed since 2012’s Stealth Beats, and that’s a good thing—anything but raw rock would feel watered down. The band sets itself apart with a focus on treble found in the crashing cymbals and vocals, avoiding any
sludge that might slow the bullet train of sound. Unlike similar noise-y acts, the lyrics are discernible, which is especially rewarding on the consumerism-bashing “60 Easy Payments” and the silly “Poocano” where Rivera sings, “Let’s rip off the mountaintops and defecate down the holes, wait until it erupts across the United States.” It’s not hard to hold anyone’s attention with such short songs, but even so, Gaytheist bridges punk and metal with the kind of ease that makes you want more, not less. (Brooks Johnson) Gaytheist plays Total Fest Sat., Aug. 16, at the Palace with Wolf Eyes, Chastity Belt, Omotai and more. Doors at 7:30. $20/$55 full three-day pass. Visit totalfest.org for schedule and tickets.
missoulanews.com • August 14–August 21, 2014 [19]