Fugazi - The Argument
(Dischord)
Fugazi - Furniture EP
(Dischord)
After a prolonged absence stirred only by the lackluster compilation of
filler, Instrument, Fugazi has returned and is kicking your ass
harder than ever. One may ask the question, does Fugazi ever change? Not
too much, but they have shifted slightly over time. As they have grown
more proficient as musicians (and they are incredibly able), they have
pushed themselves a bit harder musically. But, really, how many steps
have they wandered from their initial choppy, Gang of Four-esque
post-punk with old-fashioned hardcore ethics? Not too far, but they can
still rock as hard as they did a couple of decades ago. So Bad Religion,
et al, can kiss these guys' highly politicized asses.
All of the songs on these two releases come from the same sessions. So
why put them on two different records? To make you have to buy two
records? So Dischord gets $14, instead of the usual ten bucks? I cannot
say. What is evident, though, is that Furniture is a balls-out,
hard and heavy eight and a half minutes that packs as much wallop in three
songs as The Argument does in ten (plus that little intro bit which
doesn't really count as a song). That is not to say that The
Argument is weak or namby-pamby in any way, as it certainly is
not. It is just to say that, man, Furniture is hot shit.
Sure, The Argument has its share of the slower, quieter
numbers. Like the opener "Cashout," a bass-led number that reaffirms the
fact that Fugazi has the best rhythm section of any band working today,
who possess the rare ability to work a seriously hard groove without
succumbing to lame fake-funk shortcuts. Or "Life and Limb," Guy
Picciotto's mumbled vocals are nicely contrasted by fellow D.C. scenster
Bridget Cross' (Unrest, Air Miami) smooth harmonies, but when Fugazi
slows the tempo, or lowers the volume, they never really let
up. They never lose their focus. They simply strip a song down to its
essence. Isn't this the idea? Isn't this difference between Fugazi and
Minor Threat or Rites of Spring or the rest of those former bands? To
take a punk stand without the limitations of punk rock?
And the record still has plenty of room for the loud stuff. "Full
Disclosure," plays that trick of matching lightning-fast staccato guitar
picking against some heavily distorted sustained notes and wailing vocals,
for maximum intensity. Plus, there is "Ex-Spectator," the requisite Ian
Mackaye number where he bellows like he is going to rupture something
above bold, broad rock strokes.
Fugazi are a national treasure. The last of the heavyweight DIY'ers. The
only remaining true punk band. God bless Fugazi.
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