numerous times and asked some of my regulars what they thought about it. One person said “It is
like The Pixies on crack.” I thought about that comment when I listened to it again afterwards and
came to that same conclusion, though comparing any band to another is something I always try to
avoid. The music is mondo-creative. All the instruments are played with a lot of power and conviction.
Not to say that all of the CD is powerful, but it seems that this band knows what they are doing and
should be even better in future releases or future bands. Anyone who loves loud, distorted guitar;
smack-happy drums; and catchy songwriting should love this till the death. Even listeners who don’t
enjoy a female vocalist will love this CD!! Fun, aggression and technical creativity is what fuels this
powerhouse of a band. Doom Buggy has my highest recommendations.
--Koettex
Versus the Beast
expressed the glorious moodiness of the trumpet and minimal keys unlike anything I've heard in a
long time. Although the vocoder distracted me, the song ended nice and jazzy, which blended well
with the lounge feel of the second track, "belong." The dominant guitar and painted lyrics of the two
following tracks reminded me of something a female version of Billy Bragg from Nebraska would
have played, except for the strange and drawn out solos in "don't stand." Overall, the lyrics and vocals
of guitarist Erika Petersen left me wanting more, coloring minimalist pictures of stories and
convictions not to be taken lightly.
The CD ends with "on my lips," the most pop sounding track by far, however masking a story of
something that I'm afraid isn't as easy-going and cheerful as the accompanying music. It was an odd
way to finalize the beautifully melancholic group of songs. By the end of the CD I had gotten used to
the distorted vocals and realized their importance in the arrangements. There were several catchy
bass lines and synth/horn clusters flowing in my mind afterward, which made me want more of the
natural breeze of melody this band created for our ears.
--Melissa Alexander
regarding a band is about to appear. While protecting the lungs of their obvious pop-rock & punk roots,
they ultimately support the growing torso of avant-garde indie artists that wheeze and rumble their way
to the hearts of music lovers abroad.
Their latest album, Pick It Up, truly portrays the wide range of influences that swirl amongst the
synapses of this power trio. Between opening and closing the CD with 15 seconds of sounds &
samples more commonly heard from a DJ, The Slats pull off a steady blend of southern classic rock
drone bass antics (Physical Reaction), bursts of pop explosions reminiscent of The Cars (Automobile,
Teena), punk power, math mayhem, and visual lyrics lighting landscapes to the emotions. Throw in a
dash of squealing highs whipped with disturbing distorted lows and there's a definite recipe for a
revolutionary rock recording.
When I first listened to this album and asked a friend in the room what he thought he simply said, "It's
so dirty... I can't get past the dirtiness." While an MTV producer may not approve of their aggravated
antics, the punk/indie kid at heart would hear the odds and the half of the tracks that sound like they
were recorded in a kitchen, commode, or cellar as the pure raw roots of independent rock, and run with
it. Select it. Pick it up.
--Melissa Alexander
Pick It Up
figured this was going to be another lame ass punk band rehashing the same old crap out there. A
dime a dozen it is not. This CD is a mixed bag of goodness. It definitely throws the listener a few curve
balls.
The music overall is pretty darn good. The musicianship is very well played, songwriting is very well
structured (with the occasional sleazy guitar), and the music can be a lot of fun without being silly or
overdone. This is definitely the type of music I would like to hear being played on the radio, and I really
loved the surf-type stuff. It has catchy songs, good songwriting, and the occasional screw off song that
actually sounds as if they had some fun playing their music.
Overall, it’s a pretty good CD. Even thought it’s not normally my cup of tea, the music was something I
enjoyed to the very last drop. This will surely be a band to keep an eye on and a great CD for anyone
who appreciates a band is original and fresh.
--Koettex
The Stuntcocks
send a couple CDs and materials to
Nomad Touring 210 E. Main St. Ottumwa, IA 52501-2916.