If I told you that Loraxx is from Chicago and Yellville, their second
album, was recorded by the one and only Steve Albini, what would you think
they sound like? ...yes, that is exactly what they sound like.
Although, the singer is a woman. Other than that, you are exactly right.
That is not to say that Steve Albini records only one type of band (Palace,
Tar, Bush, etc.), but that Loraxx is very much the epitome of the
Albini-gineered band: a tight, pummeling three piece. Loraxx comes off
sounding a lot like Shellac or the Jesus Lizard, although the scowling
female vocals of Arista Strungys sound as if straight from an early nineties
L7 or Bikini Kill record.
Much like the Jesus Lizard, the quality and personality of these vocals are
almost a detriment to the finished product. When listening to the Jesus Lizard,
I find that if I can separate the Yow from the music, I enjoy it much more,
and I feel the same way about Loraxx--the vocals are so throaty and angry
that it distracts and detracts from the otherwise great music.
The music may be standard Chicago Albini-influenced fare but it is well done.
"Haunter" sounds more like Big Black than Albini's 90s work with fast
tinny guitar and crunchy bass that create a propulsive force. "22" is
more sparse and subdued (like Terraform) with a cleanly played bass hook
and spoken vocals. "Dusters" uses choppy, chunky bass to create an undeniable
head bobbing rhythm.
Yellville is a short album of short songs, 11 of them in just over 20 minutes.
It is a burst of punk rock energy, any grating noises or exploded eardrums be
damned.
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