#42: Hey Mandible—The Arse (Fort Lowell/Infintesmal) New album from band out of Jacksonville, Florida—heavy guitar indie rock with psychedelic outer space noise blasts that mediate the volatile rock ‘n’ roll middle ground between power pop hooks and angry feedback/distorto riffs. “The Arse” integrates noise and melody in a fluid, punch-you-out hug of addictively dark and challenging song structure, where distortion never overpowers, but always provides a muscular compliment. These are songs that hit you hard with a punk-edged face-slap that has just the right amount of warmth & sting to call your back again. 500 copies on green marble vinyl, and the cover art by Laura Bearl is a trip. (The 50s housewife taking the smiling little broasted baby out of the oven has horns and furry, hooved legs.) Similarities to bands like Dumb Numbers, Turn Me On Dead Man, Dinosaur Jr., Mission Of Burma, Black Level Embassy, Sonic Youth, Polvo, the Intelligence. Hey Mandible play brilliantly angry, darkly accessible rock with an instinctual, gut-level roar of power that hangs on to the melodic groove for dear life. Recommended.
