Protomartyr : ' Formal Growth In The Desert"

Protomartyr are expanding the definition of what post-punk can be. This time around there is more of a western feel, that reminds me more of Nick Cave, when it comes to the baritone croon of the vocals, rather than anything more based in punk. The guitars sound great. The reverb rings out into the desert night, which might explain the album title. They go from this very organic , almost rustic feel to something that owes more to the 80s on "For Tomorrow". The vocals are punchier here. The bass is surprisingly mixed further back than normal. This might tone down the expectations in regards to what they are normally doing sonically. Is there more common ground with bands like Idles? Yes. Is this intentional ? I do not know. 

Things move in a darker direction for "Elimination Dances". The mood is very pleasing to my ears,  You can hear the growth in how they express themselves, and a great deal of credit goes toward the vocals. Seeing how they are from Detroit and not the grime ridden streets of London, I begin to suspect my previous theory about things beginning to sound more like the Idles brand of punk when we get to "Fun in Hi Skool".  Things take a different turn into another shade of  weird with "Lets  Tip the Creator" which also has some of the best lyrics so far . "Graft vs Host' finds them moving back toward the more Nick Cave sound, but amid some moodier more angular accompaniment. "3800 Tigers' does not feel as coherent. But it is not the only song that finds the odd mood of the band wandering around in confusion. When the lyrics ask 'Can you hate yourself and still deserve love" I feel it speaks to the creative choices of some songs. 

"Fulfillment Center' drones on the same theme , but it works for what it is. "We Know the Rats" is a longer song, but does not feel like it is as complete of a finished concept as the previous song which is shorter. The repetition of the vocal refrains works well though. Similar could be said of the sonically different yet, awkward arrangement to "the Author". Where the vocals are sometimes the strength of the song here they struggle a bit.  "Rain Garden" finds things getting a little darker to close the album out. There is a stormy tension the song that works well.  At almost five minutes there is plenty of time for them to jam around on it, and make things more of a journey. This sound might also have the album's best guitar tone.  I will give this album a 9, it's a solid addition to their legacy despite the lean towards other sounds.