Prayer Group : "Strawberry"

This Richmond band crafts an early 80s hardcore punk that meets at the intersection of Negative Approach's burly bark and the stormy, tribal drumming of Killing Joke. It makes me reflect on a recent conversation I had on the podcast with Sleeping Shaman writer Reza Mills about the essence of the Nopi rock genre and its connection to hardcore, which is very tangible here. I think the main connection here to noise rock is the dense, fuzzed-out tones the string instruments are wielding, which might owe some to Jesus Lizard or a band like Big Business. Though midway into the second song, they divert into a drunken western feel that might have more in common with the Birthday Party or Crippling Alcoholism. If you uare just here for punk intensity, then this might give you pause, but if you just like well-written music with dynamics, then you will enjoy the shift. 

The plodding creep of a muscular bass line fuels the title track, that gives the vocals room to muse and ponder the sonic bleakness unfolding before they bring things crashing down into the rougher power chords. When the vocals build they feel more like Rolling here. "Pig" lingers on the feedback and might be the noisiest song thus far. The vocals are more spoken word, a punk version of Jim Morrison in their cadence. "Concern" finds its sonic pendulum swinging back in a more melodic direction, and the vocals are once again more spoken. It brings to mind the '90s solo work of Rollins.

They are more blatantly engaging in a more Negative Approach style of punk for "PR Nightmare." The song, in true punk form, is under a minute and a half. The last song is more syncopated, bringing back the noise rock tendencies. I will give this album an 8.5; it is a great deal of fun, I personally don't see myself giving it more spins as I already own a great deal of music in this vein, but they made the album they wanted to make so if you are into burly punk, then check these guys out. 

 

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