[lbo-talk] test icicles

[Sean Johnson Andrews]

just finished listening to their (test icicles) new album, featured on last 
week's edition of the radio show about economics & politics with best music, 
according to the village voice.  In this case, I am in full agreement with 
that award--thanks for the tip, Doug.

I have no way to vouch for my musical taste, but I recommend the album 
(called "for screening purposes only").  There is a lot going on in 
it--definitely some punk, but also a lot of post punk, synthesizers, drum 
machines and usually a very good beat.  Reminds me of "The Rapture" but with 
more hardcore singing AND consistent energy on it.  They have this dual 
vocals (or vocalists?) thing working for them, a male version of 
sleater-kinney with one decidedly more gruff--bordering on grating--vocalist 
who leads on some tracks, peppers the more sonorous vocalist on others (and 
to some extent, vice versa).

I'm kind of a sucker for variety, which often makes me find an album or song 
better if there is a range to it.  This album has that--sometimes even 
sounding like the more authentic punk to the pop version of the stuff coming 
from The Killers or The Faint, but I doubt any of it will get any air play. 
If I like it, I would venture to say that it isn't really authentic punk 
either (since I usually don't have the stamina for the stuff people who are 
worried about authenticity claim is authentic) but every song has some of 
those edgy (for pop anyway) gruff vocals and some really seem to shred some 
(death? black? speed?  I never know) metal guitar; occasionally, the back 
and forth between the vocalists, coupled with the beat in the background, 
even borders on a hint of hip hop--but only in a pre-mike-patton-Faith No 
More way.  Most also have a more melodic bridge-y section as well that make 
the other moments stand out.  Haven't had a chance to really listen to the 
lyrics closely, but it seems a really nice effort.  If nothing else, they do 
seem to be able to play their instruments in more than one way, which is 
commendable.  A lot to chew on, for me anyway.  I'll probably listen to it 
more than once this week, which, lately, is rare. Others may find it 
derivitive, but I claim no battle or victory on that front.  For anyone else 
who has heard it, I'd be interested in hearing opinions.