Coilguns : "Everything We Love, We Destroy"

This might be the band's 5th album, but it is my first time giving them a shot . They strike me as a punk band with broader depth of 90s indie rock influences, with the Pixies being the most prominent. It is mixed by Tom Dlagety, who has worked with the Pixies, so this choice was not accidental. I am aware they have a hardcore past, so that explains some of the more emotionally explosive dynamics. There is also a darker Murder City Devils type vibe, though I am not getting the same whiskey-soaked suicidal vibe. "Peace Trader" has a moodier almsot Dinosaur Jr. tinge to it. Perhaps they self-identify as noise-rock, but I would say they are not as unhinged, more like an aggressive Modest Mouse. The fact is highlighted in this song. 

"Repliation Crisis" has a burly bass line and a big guitar riff for the vocals to collide with. It's also nuanced and makes the most of the vocal melodies that are draped around it rather than having the vocals just be obligatory howling. Not to say they are not capable of outbursts it is just a dynamic color rather than being the sole narrative. This was sent to me by Ghost Cult Magazine, so I think they understand that vocals are important to me, and if they are an afterthought, it is going to make me less than enthusiastic.  "Platform Decay' is both tense and anthemic at the same time. The vocals are metaphoric politcal nonsense, but come across as just word soup being puked from an overexcited stomach. 

"Punisher Disclaimer" is more of a frantic punk song. But it does not play to their true strengths. "Days Before the War" is more of a strummed intelude than a complete thought of a song. "Teach Ourselves" finds the vocals pulling the weight to give the song the needed dynamics to make it more memorable than just yelling. "Carbon Magic" is more angular , and less focused. The last tow songs show you how the Pixies might sound as a hardcore band, though the second to las is more screamo. This brings them closer to the status quo of screamo than where they started, which was more unique, but for what this is, it works. I will give it a 9, as the melody it does offer makes it worthwhile. Out November 8th on Humus Records.