You never know what you are going to get with these guys. I liked their 2022 album "Oberon" It was more of a sludge metal affair, while they are back to a more artful display of punk on this album. They are far too atmospheric and adventurous to be punk these days. The vocals are the only remnant of that time. Even then there is a great deal of vocal layering. "Stimming" has prog rocking guitar coloring it. He is pondering how his body is a cell that carries him around so at the very least they are smoking plenty of pot here. The arrangements continue to level up the complexity of this album as well.
'Tell Yourself You Will" is more energetic, and somewhat hopeful despite the gritty vocal delivery. It does not feel as nuanced as the first two songs. Progressive punk would normally sound like an oxymoron in any other context. Aside from the bombastic vocals, the title track feels more like a Queens of the Stoneage song. The backing vocals add a more melodic layer. They throw a great deal at you throughout this song. The guitar carries the more cerebral fuzzed-out tone going into "Paternal instinct". The chorus is hookier than some of the songs.
Some of the more upbeat melodies remind me of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, thanks to the leather throated bellow of the lead singer. " The One to Break It" feels awkward, like it does not all fit together the way it's intended. "More" is driven by a stoned angular groove, with the vocals using a little more caution. Sometimes the lyrics feel like they need to be edited down to fit the meter best. "Follow Fine Feeling' finds them following their hippie tendencies that are the opposite end of the spectrum from what we should expect from punk. Things continue to be a little chaotic yet anthemic on the last song. I do not like this one as much as the previous album, but what they do is impressive and I appreciate the effort so I will give this a 8.5 .
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