February 2016 -

Vol. 8—issue 2 -

still drinking

- IOWANS PICK CORN

- concert calendar

- record reviews

-

STILL POETRY INSIDE: POINT/COUNTERPOINT you’re not punk & I’m telling everyone Iowans pick corn but...

The saying goes that Iowans pick corn but in New Hampshire presidents are selected. It is a rather nice and polite way for New Eng- landers to tell Podunk bread basket farmers to take their caucus and shove it up their combines. Early this 979Represent is a local magazine month Iowans braved an oncoming blizzard to get for the discerning dirtbag. together in rooms and discuss who they think should be their particular political party’s nominee, and then pick one. If you have never caucused it is a very interesting Editorial bored process. It is part church potluck, part serious political Kelly Minnis - Kevin Still wonkfest. I caucused in Washinton state in 2004 and it was an unforgettable experience. The caucus is a throwback to the days of yore and yesteryear, the fa- Art Splendidness bled smoke-filled rooms where the powerful get to- Katie Killer - Wonko The Sane gether to make things happen. In Iowa this year, the general populace queued up to select Texas senator Ted

Cruz on one side and, well, who knows exactly on the Folks That Did the Other Shit For Us other side. The caucus selection was so close in several Timothy danger - Mike e. downey - Jorge goyco - key precincts that a mere flip of the coin decided who Jessica little won that particular precinct.

So what did we learn exactly? Well, Ted Cruz may not On the Interwebz be the all-star bully that famed loudmouth Donald http://www.979represent.com Trump is, but he’s enough of an asshole that he can draw the same sort of voters that Trump does but also Emails to appeal to the Christian sect of the far right that Trump [email protected] just can’t fool into believing he be a man of the LORD. Florida senator Marco Rubio spun his third placing as a victory and even gave a victory speech after the results Materials for review & bribery can be sent to: were filed. Considering that Rubio has poled third 979represent consistently for most of the last year shows that ol’ 15530 creek meadow blvd. n. Marco got some elephant-sized hubris. Trump didn’t College station, tx 77845 fail outright and was only beaten by a couple of per- centage points. There’s a fair chance that he’s gonna clean up this month in New Hampshire and South Caro- lina. It does mean that we ought to see more of the “kids table” GOP candidates give up the ghost. Former STILL POETRY Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Kentucky con- gressman Rand Paul have already dropped out. Expect COMPILATION to see several others walk away by month’s end. Poor I like two types of songs: Jeb Bush. The former Florida governor, who was slated those that rally youth early on as a shoo-in for the nomination, barely moved when my bones ache, and the meter. those that kindle wisdom when I wake with regret. On the Democratic side, we have a bit of false hope for —KEVIN STILL the Bernie peoples. That Vermont senator Bernie Sand- ers basically tied with former Secretary of State Hillary OFF THE HOOK Clinton is an amazing feat, considering that most De- My waitress—whose hair mocrats weren’t interested in running against Hillary. left her shoulders for the The party apparatchiks threw their lot in with the Clin- small of her back since tons decades ago and President Barrack Obama’s nomi- we met—pointed to the nation came as a surprise to nearly everyone in the Daniel Woodrell novel, and party’s elite. So it has been expected for eight years asked, "Doing a little reading?" that 2016 would be Hillary’s year. Sanders has upset I said, "Yeah. My semester that apple cart by appealing to the youth vote. Clinton begins Tuesday as well. If has a real hard time appealing to young voters. Sanders I don't start a good book now is expected to clean up in New Hampshire this month, I'll spend my evenings glued but elsewhere in the country he will have to endure to the TV." She nodded, some big losses, especially down South and in the rust saying something about belt. Sanders has said that he will remain in the race Anatomy 2 and needing until the convention, no matter how he fares in the to make flashcards, and primaries. I realized we see words as differently as the bear and Texans have to wait until March 1st when we, along with the worm see the fish. six other states, line up on what’s known as Super Tues- —KEVIN STILL day to pull the levers. How will you vote? Well, you’ve got exactly 29 days to figure it out. Primaries tend to be low turnout, but as you can see, the contest is still up for grabs. Your vote counts.—KELLY MINNIS STILL DRINKING The shitty neighbor

Karbach Brewing Co. is a polarizing We moved into a house last month. I'm operation, to say the least. Their still getting used to it. I'm pushing 40, but brews have won staple space in many the first part of my adulthood was spent beer geeks' fridge crispers. At the same time, I've col- being pretty nomadic. Peter Pan syn- lected ample ire from many who've utterly dismissed drome ran rampant when I moved out at 17 and kept Karbach, unwilling even to sample new releases. Per- going, I think at some point in my 30's I woke up in an sonally, I sympathize with the pro-Karbach camp, as I ancient drafty rent house I shared with my band some- keep several Karbach brews on affectionate rotation. time in February, the cold seeping in from outside, I had Karbach's new Zee German Pils Seasonal joins such several gallons of water near my bed in case someone ranks. In true Karbach fashion, Zee (40 IBUs / 4.9% ABV) needed to use the toilet, and I put a few layers of clothes is subtle, quiet, pleasant: more Nora Jones than Amy on as I braved the house outside my room, I felt like I Winehouse. Zee pours like a dadgum Budweiser: was living in a run down garrison in Europe, only I was in golden, bubbly, energetic, and topped with a solid head my hometown minutes from where I graduated. I of cappuccino foam. The nose wafts yellow-earth tones, walked outside the massive porch in our little house in and the flavor politely—with some reverence, I should the hood, waved at the neighbors who were nice enough say—blends the malts and hops into a fine Old-Recipe not to rob us (I guess they didn't shit where they eat balance. Zee is a backporch/good read/backgammon/ even though we didn't have a back door to the house) fine record/long-ass chat/crossword puzzle/poetry- and I decided I was just getting too old for this shit. penning/sunset watching kinda beer. Don't open one unless you've time for three more. I 'm already stoked Brea (my wife and singer for TSS) and I decided to get for my first twelve-pack. our own apartment, one with a door and heat, and we started living in some comfort for awhile. I was used to Recently I had the privilege of attending the Chupacabra apartment life. I hated lawns. I hated upkeep, I just Craft Beer bar in Salado, TX. If you're unfamiliar with Salado, drop your finger on a Rand McNally halfway wanted to rock out and pass out in my bed. That lasted between Georgetown (north of Austin) and Temple a few more years then my hatred of other people came (south of Waco), and right about there you've got Salado. stronger than my hatred of lawn work. Chupacabra boasts 41 Texas brewed craft beers on tap, featuring rare jewels from Deep Ellum and Karbach, as If you want to know the real reason I bought a house, I'll well as fine standards from 512, Eastciders, and Adel- tell you... People are shitty. I can't think of a neighbor bert's. A flight of four 5 oz samples costs $10 with a who didn't have something wrong with them. Either Chupacabra pint glass tossed in pro bono. Okay. Stop they had shitty kids who liked to climb my stairs and here. Did you just see that? A flight of Texas craft sam- play outside my window while I tried to sleep, or they ples and cool ass glassware costs $10. Brother, gas the decided to herd elephants in their spare time upstairs, jalopy! The food situation at Chupacabra is interesting. or they would illegally house other people any given day Popcorn is free, and the bar offers a few appetizer trays of the week, people became the catalyst to my desire to and baskets for purchase. But with 41 beers on tap, buy a house. you'll want some carbs. I recommend McCain's Bakery and Cafe across the street for sandwiches and home- This meant conquering my fear of settling in a place. It made pie. Good stuff. McCain's makes our own Must was new to my former vagabond lifestyle and scared the Be Heaven look downright unholy. shit out of me. So my wife and I talked for close to a year. Where would we settle? B/CS? Houston? San During my all too brief visit to Chupacabra Craft Beer, I Antonio? Austin? (just kidding Austin is a hell hole don't tried two new Texas based breweries, though only one is believe the hype and avoid it like a virus NOTE: the opin- worth mentioning. From Rentsch Brewing (Georgetown), ions of Timothy Danger do not reflect 979represent but I tried a Hefeweizen and a Prussian Imperial Stout. yeah he thinks Austin can choke a dick) [ed. note: the According to their website, Rentsch Brewing, born from entire staff of 979represent concurs with Mr. Danger’s the founder's beer themed trip to Germany, "adheres to opinion of Austin] We weren't sure where to go. We'd the Reinheitsgebot, or German purity law". This sug- let fate decide. gests that Rentsch is a malt-forward brewery, as can be attested from the two ridiculously good samples I tried Then fate stepped in as the form of a three bedroom at Chupacabra. Although I am not usually a fan of house in Stout City. It had three bedrooms (one for American made Hefes, Rentsch has crafted something sleeping, one for an office for Brea and a study for me). special. Rentsch Hefeweizen (5.5% ABV), a true break- A living room, a dining room (we turned it into a bar) as fast/brunch brew, features huge banana and honey well as a room for the band to practice and a small notes. In keeping with the Reinheitsgebot rule, these house in the back for art projects. It was a dream come flavors can be accessed from particular malts in the true. So we bought it. Turns out living as a vagabond roasting process. The density of these flavors, which are with a cash existence and no credit cards keeps your generally muted or drowned out by heavy doses of credit pretty damn clean. wheat or coriander spice (additions that would violate the German purity law) in most American made Hefes, It's weird living in a house. It's quiet except for the attests to the dedication to artistry at this brewery. My noise that I make. I like the big kitchen. But I really love flight also offered Rentsch Prussian Imperial Stout (9.9% my study, where I am writing this now. It allows me to ABV). Admitting ignorance: I've no damn clue what a write, it allows me to smoke cigars and listen to music Prussian Imperial Stout is supposed to be. Forget it. before 1980, I have a creative refuge I never had. This is one of the better Imperial Stouts I've had. The Heaven help me, I even like the damn yard. menu descriptor claims "thick texture like a coffee stout", which, if your access to coffee stouts is Real Ale I don't think I'll miss moving around so much. The band Coffee Porter or even Santa Fe Java Stout, is a massive understatement akin to labeling Slayer "rock-n-roll'. keeps us visiting cities and Brea caught the travel bug With this Rentsch Prussian, we're talking dark dark dark with me when we took a road trip across America last chocolate. 98% cocoa. 2% Indonesian based espresso year, so it looks like everyone is stuck. beans. Super rich, demanding vanilla bean ice cream or sea salt coated bacon strips as a pairing. Beautiful beau- Funny thing is, when we took down the patriotic flag and tiful beautiful beer. Would it be dramatic to say my toes hoisted a Jolly Roger onto the flag pole on our front yard curled while sipping this flight? They did. I'll not soon I realized... Holy shit. Now I'm the shitty neighbor. forget that.—KEVIN STILL Game on.—TIMOTHY DANGER What did Bowie do, really?

OK, short of “” I mean. POINT/COUNTERPOINT: DAVID BOWIE Oh, and “dick in tights” bad guy. Everyone is all, “Oh, David Bowie Maybe I would just have to be really high, fairly de- died! So tragic!” But you know what? His music mostly pressed and a gender-bender to appreciate his music. sucked. I mean, yeah, there’s a handful of songs that are cool, and in the history of music he did things that It sucks that he’s dead. I care that he’s dead. I guess I were kinda oddball and artsy, but so did Zappa (who’s just don’t care much about what he did while he was music is super lame) and so did Lady Gaga. here. I feel a little like a

disrespectful asshole to I listened through his newest album and I got the same be talking about someone feeling I always get when I listen to Bowie...it’s who just died. Sorry. OK...kinda strange...interesting at best...maybe one or two songs I’d listen to again. David Bowie is/was over-

rated.—JORGE GOYCO It feels like his music is “pretend” drug music. Like it’s

“almost” weird enough to be cool, but it will never be as ======cool as Pink Floyd or The Cure or Ween. Just weird to be weird, but not as “cool” weird as something like Gwar. I have been told many a

time in arguments both in Seriously. I’ll count how many songs that I think are person and over the actually cool that he wrote: “Changes?” Maybe. “Ziggy internet by people older Stardust?” sure. “Space Oddity?” Yes, of course. and cooler than me that “Heroes?” OK. “”, but only after it context is extremely came out on the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. important in evaluating a “Let’s Dance?” Sure. “Fame?” Great. What is that, 6 or 7? piece of creative work, be Add “” with Queen, but that is most it a film, photograph, definitely a Queen song featuring Bowie. “I’m Afraid of play, poem, novel, song, Americans” with ? Possibly, but have you album, etc. You will even heard of it? And honestly, it sounds like Trent had never fully understand or a lot more to do with the song than Bowie did. “get it” if you weren’t

there at the actual time I guess I’m just not convinced that a handful of songs the piece of art was cre- constitutes “legendary”. Did he influence the world? ated. You have to fully Yes. Did he inspire? Probably. Did he have amazing appreciate the times and hairstyles? Definitely. the environment in which

the piece was created to understand its place in that Again, yes, he did some strange and interesting things, environment. And I would argue until I was blue in the but so did Kiss. So did Alice Cooper and Ozzy, but I can face or my carpal tunnel syndrome acted up that the name more than five songs from each of those guys. concept of context was complete and utter shite. A good

piece of work can transcend context and speak to any- Some of you are fuming right now saying that I am not a one in or out of the work’s initial time and space. I don’t “true fan” in that I didn’t mention any “B” sides. OK, think A Tale of Two Cities or Metropolis or, as Jorge granted, I am not a true fan, but to be honest, it just mentioned in his piece, Revolver loses anything outside always took too much effort to even try to get into any of its initial context. Now, can you appreciate something other songs than the ones that played on the radio or on maybe multiple levels if you understand that just two MTV or were covered and redone on Moulin Rouge...and years before released Revolver they were I ALWAYS turned over the record. I love “B” sides. In an still aping American soul and rock & roll and somehow effort to do ol’ Ziggy justice, I’m gonna go on a search for began to transcend their influences and become some “Hardcore Fan” David Bowie songs. We’ll see. completely other beast? Context lends that complexity.

“London Bye Ta Ta?” Nope. “Holy Holy?” Stuck with me I come to this piece perhaps with an apology to my for a bit, then got tired of it. “Andy Warhol?” Nope. usenet adversaries of yore, that perhaps there is more “Always Crashing?” Ugh. OK, “Heathen” is not so bad. In to this context argument than I gave them credit for. I fact, it kinda reminds me of “Blackstar” on the newest think the point of view I held in my youth was perhaps album. By the way, I’m going through a list on Rolling formed because I had no context myself. I didn’t en- Stone’s website called, “20 Insanely Great David Bowie tirely understand that 25 years after Nirvana’s Never- Songs Only Hardcore Fans Know”. “Something in the mind that I would interact with people half my age who Air” I can understand why it was chosen for American weren’t even born and didn’t understand what a counter Psycho and Memento. I am surprised by this song. It’s -reaction it, and Husker Du, The Replacements, Jane’s really good. Addiction, etc. were to what was in the mainstream at

the time (saccharine hair metal, polished Minneapolis So, OK, Maybe I found a couple of new songs I would say pop, the birth of sampladelic NYC and gangsta LA hip- are cool, but I’m still no fanboy. In fact, I have to say hop). Like White Light/White Heat and Raw Power be- that I’m quite the opposite. I mean that I won’t be sug- fore me, Nevermind would be the kids’ classic rock. gesting that people listen to David Bowie.

I proffer this discussion to set up why I think Jorge does- That list of “20 Insanely Great” songs was a pathetic n’t “get” Bowie. Because, in all truth, I didn’t get Bowie jumble of 50s meets Dylan meets Cohen with a little right away. My first interaction with the man’s music Beatles, Revolver. Also, I am picky and opinionated. somewhere else entirely in my mind.

POINT/COUNTERPOINT: DAVID BOWIE There is a scene in The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky where the characters hear was like most children of the ‘80s: on the radio and MTV Bowie’s “Heroes” on the radio late one night and pierces during his pop phase. Singles like “Let’s Dance”, “China their hearts. The DJ never backsells the song, so the Girl”, and “Modern Love” were super catchy soul- characters wait many years to find out who the song was influenced pop radio fodder. Earworms and such, but by and what it was called. That song is perhaps Bowie’s nothing deep (see the original Iggy Pop version of “China strongest moment. If you read the lyrics, they are asi- Girl” to catch all the nine. When you put them together with the other- menace Bowie ironed worldly wail of Robert Fripp’s guitar as channeled out for his version). I through ’s , the coked-out paranoia missed on Bowie until of Bowie screaming “and we kissed as though nothing late in the decade when could fall”. It’s pure feeling. Catching something so I saw his band Tin Ma- elusive via microphone and electronics, captured for chine play on an awards posterity. It is a starkly beautiful seven minutes that few show and I thought could ever hope to recreate. And that is outside of the maybe I should check context of punk rock, disco, The Osmonds on television, that record out. And to the Laurel Canyon denim post-hippie singer- this day I defend the Tin hush, and the dinosaur plod of arena-sized hard rock. Machine LP to a lot of The impact of “Heroes” outside of its context for the Bowie diehards because book’s characters rural Ohio in the 1980s or outside of I think it’s a rather good mine own in the stripmine-blasted ruins of western hard rock record. But it Kentucky in 1992 does not lessen the power. Perhaps I wasn’t until later into wasn’t wrong to argue against context. high school when I began collecting records Context can also somewhat hinder an artist. After in earnest that I began 1980’s Scary Monsters Bowie stopped pushing the artis- to understand why my tic envelope. The wild rush of stylistic changes from older bandmates and folky to metalhead to gay cabaret to blue-eyed soul to music pals spoke in the motorik to art-damaged hard rock would induce whip- same hushed tones lash in even the most ardent fan. The 1980s were not about Bowie that they kind to Bowie and most of the work, beyond Let’s Dance did about Zeppelin, is lazy and uninspired. In the ‘90s Bowie became a Hendrix, Black Sabbath, follower instead of a leader. His Outside LP sounds like and the like. he wanted to become ; Earthling took on

the style of jungle and drum-and-bass that was so popu- In 1990 you could take a $20 bill into most used record lar in English clubs in the late 90s. His last two albums stores and come out with an armload of vinyl. If you seem to have come from a place where he just didn’t were the least bit curious about an artist you’d heard give a damn anymore. I am somewhat ashamed to have about you could most likely find one of his/her/their not listened to them yet. But one in their 20s could be records in the $1 bin. You could take a chance on some- forgiven for not getting Bowie. If someone like Jorge thing completely unheard. Nowadays you can hear within my own generational context only listens to someone talk about someone cool then point your Bowie post-mortem and takes the music purely on the phone towards Youtube and hear it right away. Bowie music’s value that person could miss why much of the was one of these artists. I had read in Musician (RIP— English-speaking world mourned his death. For nearly that was a cool magazine) an interview with Trent all my British friends, losing Bowie was like losing one of Reznor of Nine Inch Nails in 1992 that David Bowie’s so- our former presidents. Bowie begat punk rock. He was called “Berlin trilogy” were his favorite albums and they not single-handedly responsible for it, but there were kept him from going Columbine on his southwest Penn- few contemporary artists embraced by the ground zero sylvania townsfolk in high school. Seemed like a good of English punk rock aside from Bowie and Roxy Music enough reason for me to pay $2 each for Low, “Heroes”, (one cannot consider Bowie without considering his and Lodger. And I tried. Boy, did I try to get into those most frequent foil, Roxy Music’s Brian Eno). This is not records. But they are dense, alien creatures, full of to mention those that grew up on the imagery of Bowie. bizarre sounds, fractured pop songs, proto-ambient/new His turn in in Labyrinth was well-remembered by many age instrumentals...music that I had never heard before. children of the ‘80s. I watched Zoolander the other And other than Low, I pretty much pushed those records night and forgot he played a bit part in that movie. away. There are a good two dozen films he has either acted or starred in. I cannot discount how important an album Low was for

me. I can still put on my thinking cap and picture in my In a very roundabout way I have become that older guy head listening to the second side of that album in the telling the younger dudes that perhaps context matters dark with the light from my R2D2-esque kerosene heater at least somewhat. In 20 years they will tell people the throwing hieroglyphics upon the wood paneled walls of same when others will not comprehend why anyone my basement apartment. The hushed, dark, nearly should care about TV On the Radio or Vampire Weekend classical tones of “Warszawa”, the African marimbas in or The Arcade Fire. You can’t just evaluate it on its own “”, the cigarette-stained cabaret elegance of terms, you have to evaluate the context, man. Within “”. This was ART MUSIC made without a context, David Bowie was a nuclear bomb. Outside of single commercial care in the world. It took me some- context, well, as Jorge said, perhaps Bowie the musician where else, away from that cold, shitty apartment to was maybe overrated. — KELLY MINNIS Record reviews

infamous classical rhythm, Jessica Little and I agreed to Fall, fall deep into the night." sound crashes with metallic write dual reviews of Bloodiest And then a transition guitar riff guitar riffs, shaking bass lines, due to our polar takes on the that moves the surface of the and their attack of snares and record. She loved it. I regret- track into a new direction, cymbals with Bruce’s operatic ted dollars lost. And so it went although the undercurrent stays screaming. It’s gorgeous. Lastly, for a short season. the same. Building. Darkening. “Suffer”, the most metal song of Stretching out. THAT DAMN the album, has no ease. It’s Until the night I put Bloodiest PIANO! Suddenly, everything strictly heavy basslines, crunchy on my headphones, cranked the grows quiet, downward swirling guitars, a hard floor tom, and volume, and stared at blank acoustic guitar. Entering the that beautiful bass drum. pages in a notebook. The entire five minute mark. And then Vocals are intense in an instant. album played. Then it played Vesuvius erupts. Improv takes There’s no easing into “Suffer”, again. And by the end of the over. Total lack of structure. Bloodiest which again, cleverly titled second listen I felt convinced Something thicker, more pur- Bloodiest appropriately rhythmic wise. Bloodiest would easily make poseful, more angry than Phish It’s an interesting song, because any Top Metal Records of 2016 jamming. Several movements Bloodiest debuted their new if you listen to “Mesmerize”, and list. happening at once. THAT self-entitled album January of then skip to “Suffer”, they sound DIABOLICAL PIANO! WHO IS this year, and to no disappoint- almost identical. Ending the My friend Andrew, who I am THIS WOMAN? Where do I ment topped their previous album on almost the exact learning to trust implicitly with listen? What do I attach myself works by a landslide. The first same note—except with a musical recommendations to? The surface? The rhythm? song on the Bloodiest album is harder, faster pace—you began (even when I do not love his The vocals? Emotion? Three “Mesmerize”. This song was with was a surprise that is to be offerings, I learn a lot), claims pieces moving in three direc- released as a teaser. This was adored. that Bloodiest is metal-jazz. I tions, but still somehow to- wise for Bloodiest. Catchy, get that. There's a method of gether. I don't know what I'm deep, loud bass drums and a Only when I realized that this conceptualizing this record that talking about anymore than I dirty guitar will have you beg- album is not focused on metal, is not the same as, say, Red know what I'm listening to. As a ging for more. Those smooth but rather progressive rock, and Fang or Windhand or Rwake or critic, I'm in Freshmen Lit high pitch vocals paired with avant-garde, with metal to any of the cores. That's not to reading Faulkner for an essay the deep beat of the bass drum sharpen its blade, did I under- say it is superior, but it is inter- test tomorrow. Caffeine or will have you on the edge of stand this was a masterpiece of esting and demanding, in the alcohol? One will get me your seat. Towards the end of classical layers and distorted same sense that albums like A through this text. the song the vocals gain aggres- drone. Do not mistake this Love Supreme and Bitches Brew sion long with the crescendo of album for strictly metal because (I will skip the temptation to So it goes with most of the the melody. It’s a trance you there will be a great amount of mention Kid A) do not make album. Stand outs on Bloodiest: don’t want to escape from. disappointment, and you will themselves immediately avail- "Mesmerize", "The Widow", and “Mesmerize”. “The Widow” is miss the opportunity to experi- able. You have to want it. "Broken Teeth". The rest of the another favorite. It seems as ence this brilliant trance. This album wraps around these though Bloodiest tapped into album will be filed in with So what does that mean? tracks. However, my go-to, the the addicting lie of the bass artists like Black Math Horse- Where is this complexity? Well, repeat in car and on Discman, is drum, because this song thrives man, Sub Rosa, U.S Christmas, that's where I hit the wall: how "He Is Disease". Maybe this off of it, and the actual bass and even Holly Hunt.—JESSICA to express the emotional and feels, on some level, a bit more itself. There’s also this classical LITTLE mental maneuvering of music. like straight-up sludge with a acoustic undertone which The best I can do is commen- dash of doom. If you want the slowly builds in a droning heavy I would add nothing to the tate on a single track. kind of metal that sells t-shirts, guitar. There are choir-esque conversation regarding Bloodi- here's your track. Still, there's backing vocals, matched by est's self-titled sophomore Track two "The Widow" paints a something special about it. You front man Bruce Lamont. It release by discussing it's com- solid representation of the wouldn't take this track out for sends an avant-garde, metal- plexity. That has been well whole record. It's aggressive. cheese fries: you'd take her out religious chill up your spine. established. Still, I'd like to Loud. Unrushed. Cycling thick- for an actual baked potato. The Throughout the entire song discuss the record's complexity. sound through a growing loop attraction is there. The natural there are operatic points to pay It is, by all connotations, a of thematic rhythms while beauty. If you can just hold her attention to. The orchestrations strange album. As it should be. adding, slowly, hints of new still long enough to look her in of “The Widow” touch a special Released on January 15, 2016 noise. (Pretty standard so far.) part of your drone loving soul. by Relapse Records from a "The Widow" opens with fairly Lyrically, it’s sallow, heavy, and congregation of members from stock bass and drum lines, transcends you into a realm of Russian Circles, YOB, Correction thumping and grumpy, before wallow and beauty. There are House, and Minsk, this record moving into an atmospheric so many layers to uncover to should feel like a smorgasbord slither of vocals, acoustic gui- this single song, it’s unreal. of metal influences and defini- tars, and a quietly sneaky minor Brilliantly mixed, masterfully tions. tuned piano. Then the electric tuned, “The Widow” is the hit guitars slip in with higher tinted song of the album. Throughout I bought this sucker on CD at notes, even hope, hovering over Bloodiest there are tracks that Waterloo Records in Austin, and the Gregorian "om" of hollow focus on instrumentals more for the next week I drove chants and lead vocals—"Into than actual lyrics. Songs like around with Bloodiest blaring in that fire that will give us some “Condition” have a very senti- my car, sputtering out aggres- light". The track grows sud- mental classical sound. It’s sive, down-tuned bits and denly quiet. Back to acoustic sweet, simple, and at times you pieces between work and home, and light electric guitars, swirl- Ringo Deathstarr forget this is a band named red light to red light, a few ing around quiet chambered Pure Mood Bloodiest coming through you minutes here and there, the vocals—"Falling from the edge speakers. Songs like “Mind same way I digest most music I of the cliff/Falling from the edge The latest offering from this Overlaps” bring you into a appreciate quickly in the inti- into the night". Then the bass psychedelic dream-pop trio will world of drone and distortion macy of my Protege. But comes back, more aggressive. likely satisfy their hard-core with that ever so famous classi- Bloodiest wasn't giving up that Drums harder. The piano keyed fans, but it’s unlikely to garner cal music touch. Once you get easily, and I found myself down a notch. Pretty guitar any new converts. Pure Mood comfortable with their despising the record. In fact, adds crunch, drops octave. "We pulls together elements from CONCERT CALENDAR

2/5—LUCA, Leavenworth @ Village Café, Bryan. 8pm 2/18—The Punknecks @ Revolution, Bryan. 10pm 2/5—Brazos Valley Derby Girl Art Show feat. Girlband, Mutant Love @ Riddle Gallery, Bryan. 9pm 2/20—LUCA, Exit Glaciers, First Thought Worst Thought, The Inators @ Revolution, Bryan. 10pm 2/10—Vox Vocis, And Then Suddenly, Forever Today, Luca, Electric Astronaut @ Grand Stafford, Bryan. 2/23—DJ Jonny Cerveza @ Revolution, Bryan. 9pm 7:30pm 2/27—Odd Folks, Nominee, Corusco, Hand Me Down 2/12—The Sideshow Tragedy @ Revolution, Bryan. 10pm Adventure @ Grand Stafford, Bryan. 7pm

2/13—Wonderbitch, No I’m the Leader, Electric Astronaut 3/12—The Ex-Optimists, A Sundae Drive, Slow Future @ @ Revolution, Bryan. 10pm New Republic Brewing Company, College Station. 9pm

2/18 – DJ Spooky presents Peace Symphony @ Rudder 3/25—David Ramirez, Daniel Gonzalez @ New Republic Theater, College Station. 7pm Brewing Company, College Station. 8pm

their last two albums—God’s reputation: from cover to cover, The other high point of Purple is Dream and Mauve—as well as a with minor exceptions, Purple is the new percussive line-up. smattering from their best a damn good album. Also, Sebastian Thomas on drums release, 2011’s pop gem Colour cohesively speaking, Purple and Nick Jost on bass together Trip. Unfortunately, it’s an works as a concept piece. It's add a layered foundation uneven collection of those impossible to fully engage beneath most tracks. Thomas' sounds. Purple without considering the punk quick roots surface during 2012 bus-crash that injured two particular intros and outros, “Stare at the Sun” and “Acid members into early retirement calling listeners back to his Tongue” are the best of the lot. and nearly stole guitarist/ bizarre complexity in the track's “Stare at the Sun” features vocalist/artist John Baizely's body. Jost's background as a bassist Alex Gehring on vocals, ability to play and paint. After jazz bassist is found in his and her dreamy tones are the crash, Baizley stated on the improvisational nature. More countered by the jangly guitars. Baroness Official Baroness webpage: "I than a repetitive rhythm “Acid Tongue” has set closer Purple can say, after nearly 6 weeks of keeper, Jost stomps around the written all over it with its feisty reflection, that I feel more track adding emotional transi- rhythms and raging guitar from With each new release since resolute and passionate about tions between various hooks leader Elliott Frazier. “Show me their 2007 debut, Red, Baroness our music than ever. I have and breaks. Tracks like "Try to the Truth of Your Love” also is a has built a reputation for pub- come to realize the importance Disappear" and "The Iron Bell" solid tune with its lishing better songs than al- of time in this particular equa- showcase Thomas and Jost's interwoven vocals from Frazier bums. On their sophomore tion, that is, I have none to benefit to the band. and Gehring. It also boasts an follow-up, Blue (2009), Baroness waste and none to spare." This odd fade with the last minute or attempted a darker, heavier urgency marks a primary hall- Still, the guttural punch of so being a soft instrumental sound, blending influences of mark of Purple's success. Purple lands in track six, just and an undercurrent of another sludge and some kinda grind- over the half-way point. song altogether. Weird, but it type-thing that felt like a car- Purple opens explosively with "Chlorine and Wine" is Baroness works. “Never” alternates the toonish sidekick to Mastodon's "Morningstar", satisfying the at their best. A simple, pretty catchy and the atonal well. Leviathon. With Yellow & Green band's Mastodon crush. "Dry drum and guitar instrumental (2012), Baroness released two yours tears, my darling/There's opener erupts into a battered What doesn’t work as well are albums worth of slower, more a pistol-whipped look in your catharsis of thickly layered riffs the tunes that don’t have emotive, methodically blended eyes/The captain was gentle/He and crashes topped with enough variety. “Big Bopper”, hard-rock that left most listen- left you alive." Baizley charges Baizley's Walt Whitman-urgent “Guilt”, and “Frisbee” (except for ers wondering if Y&G was a with an immediacy he's not yet "yawp". Then verse two. Jost's the instrumental fade) are conceptual project. The lack of possessed. His vocals contain bass line opens wide. Verse pretty much the same tune. cohesiveness across the pack- greater diversity, even in a three. Then Baizley and Peter Gehring’s lush vocals are enjoy- aged individual records, not to single track here, than he's Adam's dual layered guitar solo, able enough, but on “Dream mention the entire project, previously challenged of him- punctuated by hi-hat ellipses Again”, “California Car Collec- firmly answer the concept self. That being said, Baizley, at and Jost's piano interlude. And tion”, and “Old Again”, the tunes question, but so did the mean- times on Purple, trades early then the band's gang-chant aren’t strong enough for her dering musical rabbit trails that Baroness screams for a more finale: "Please/Don't lay me voice to carry the load. And I seemed to have no damn clue vulnerable singer-songwriter down/Under the rocks where can’t tell if “Heavy Metal Sui- where certain songs wanted to crooning that, even if it's not I've found/My place in the cide” is supposed to be a joke go. How could listeners plant pretty, offers an authenticity ground/Home for the fathers or not—the band sure sounds both feet into Y&G when the that reminds listeners of what and sons." This is a fucking like it’s having fun playing it. band—or maybe their produc- birthed this album. Such good track. Goose-bumps and Perhaps more of their fun pop ers—had not? Y&G is not a rawness can be heard on fist-pumps from open to end. would fit the bill, but hey, I’m complete disaster; nevertheless, "Shock Me" (poppy finger- Religious music. Healing music. just a fan. Maybe I’ll look into a a double-album offering four of snapper) and “Kerosene" A song wielded as a weapon vinyl copy of Colour Trip in- five good tracks is hardly worth (cheesy hi-hat titter-tat opener and tear-gagging belly-romp stead... hmm.—MIKE L. admission price. bleeds into symphonic gang- laugh in the face of death. Not DOWNEY chant: "When I am done/I'll lay yet, sucker. There's more to be Still, I am a Baroness fan, and I in the sun". Super nice). These done. And these guys are doing enjoy aspects of all their al- solid tracks are unfortunately it.—KEVIN STILL bums. For this reason, I was followed by Purple's weakest glad to spend time with Purple, spot: the instrumental "Fugue", released December 18, 2015 which invalidates its denotation from the band's own label, while also detracting from the Abraxan Hymns. Purple ne- conceptual impact thus far. gates the old Baroness Odd choice.