Brokaw - Interiors

 


Brokaw is the newest rock-based project for legendary bassist G. Stuart Dahlquist (Burning Witch, Sunn O))), Goatsnake, Asva) and 3 of his long time Seattle based collaborators; Rick Troy, Rich Medic, and Mike Henderson.

Brokaw mostly take their sound from 90's record labels such as  Amphetamine Reptile and Alternative Tentacles.  There's a little bit of noise rock, nomeansno style dominating bass, Morphine style phrasing coupled with vocals, somewhere between the deep voice Mark Sandman and  the funky stylings of newer Clutch.  Close your eyes, block your ears and imagine The Cows meeting Helmet with a funky bass running through the middle and you've more or less nailed "Berlin Heart".  If there's such a thing as stoner funk then "No Morphine Doctor"  nails that particular sub-genre.   "Politicians By The Pool" is a cool and catchy song but a little too close to recent Clutch.  There's an interlude in "Terms of War" that simultaneously causes thought of nomeansno and jazz musicians like Miles Davis but the song comes to a heavy sludgy conclusion.  There's Fugazi style starting and stopping "Time Ain't Now" with far clearer vocals.  The funky hard catchy noise rock ends with the upbeat telling off of "You Didn't Invent Sex".

It'll be interesting to see where other reviewers pigeon hole Brokaw since they defy being put in a certain sector of rock unless it's the broader alternative label.  There's just way too much going in the band's music to just fit them under the stoner rock tag due to one member's past.  In a time where many people say that record labels deserve to die,  Good To Die Records  prove that there are still those out there finding great music and releasing it.  This album isn't due out until January 24th 2012 but you can hear a few songs on the band's bandcamp page.

4.5/5





 

Sticky Filth - Fourth Domain

  The most anticipated NZ rock album  of the last few years is finally here.  Sticky Filth's fourth album in their 26 year career is out.  Setbacks have included two serious accidents which have meant touring the album isn't an option.

   Arguments about whether Sticky Filth are a punk, metal or a rock band won't be ended with this album.  And really, why should they?  The trio's template of blistering Motorhead style bass coupled with Chris Snowdon's metallic guitar leads with Craig Radford's melodic voice hovering over the top as the drummer sets the beat.  As always the songs vary in tempo.  The only major change, other than the new drummer, is that Snowdon handles vocal duties on two songs and his voice is just a little rougher than Radford's.

  "Happy Birthday" has a quick beat that is similar to songs like "The Yorkshire Ripper" and "Dig You Up" from the band's first album.  "The Witch That Got Away" should please those familiar with "The Burning" both musically and thematically.  "Leave In The Morning" has rock radio hit potential written all over it due to its catchy chorus.  The acoustic version of "Hate Remains" serves well as an album ender Sticky Filth will be able to win new fans while keeping their older ones simply by keeping with the tried and true.  While listening to this album on my I-pod travelling on a  train, two twenty-somethings were discussing whether it sounded like Parkway Drive or Disturbed and then asked what the music was.  I really don't think the music sounds like either of these bands as the songs just sound like Sticky Filth.   Expect to see this album on a number of best of 2011 lists.

4.5/5


Buy it here.