Thumbnail

(Cargo/Headhunter)
by Steve Tremain

Uh, is it okay to use the phrase “Art-Punk”? You know, angry, alienated kids who like to make a lot of noise, but are trying to do something more interesting than simple “rock” music. They took a few lessons, listened to bands like Fugazi and Slint, came up with some new ideas, and play them really loud. That’s what Thumbnail is. The opening tunes on their self-titled album have a few beats too many, making them stagger around like a guy wearing two different shoes, and the guitars play notes that sound uncomfortable next to each other. A lot of focus is put on the music, but when there are words, they’re sung with a soul-wrenching howl that reaches beyond the musical. The screams take on the tone of a man who has lost all hope and shrieks out his anger over a churning musical mix. Lyrically, they don’t cover new ground, but they do say the same things in a new way. “My system buys his plan/his handshake breaks my hand/ Monday comes someday.” If you’re bored with the music on the radio, looking for something new, or simply want something to offend your parents more than your Ramones albums do, get yourself a Thumbnail.