Exene’s latest project, the Original Sinners, are like “X for beginners.” The band is tighter than X was, and certainly has more musical tricks up its sleeve.
Like most of the other Elephant 6 related stuff I’ve heard, this seem an attempt to write Smile, Brian Wilson’s ill-fated, unfinished follow-up to Pet Sounds.
There’s an undergrowth of Gothic co-ed bands from countries off the beaten path. Hungary’s Without Face are one of the most resplendent and progressive rock.
Weedeater articulates the frustration and despair of being trapped in a mere body of nerves and bone with the modern rock version of the blues: Grinding doom.
A hot female singer (who can actually sing) is matched to guitars & programming, mostly mid-tempo, juggling real & synth drums. Martin Atkins produced.
Bright, clean leads soar like eagles over dark jungle chord progressions. Fuzzed vocals are shouted with the battlecry intensity of sex, death, and revolution.
A distinct and impassioned vocal now known as much for his work with Borknagar as his band, Vintersorg, our man turns in his cleanest, most precise record yet.