Edith - Hunker Down
(Fluffmotor)
Edith know how to rock. This is evident from the first moments of their new release, Hunker Down. The whole thing starts with the clattering of drums. Sharp, piercing, this is music to get your attention. The guitars roar in with a mix of sludge for the rhythm guitar and sharper lines for the lead. The band throw it all in your face, ending up with something that sounds like University-era Throwing Muses met some riot grrl band and decided to kick out the jams.
While the first thing you'll notice about this record is the production, eventually it'll hit you that the band can write a good melody. And Karen Harris really sounds like Kristin Hersh. If you're going to sound like any female singer of the past decade, Kristin Hersh is definitely one of the better ones to pick. Dan Jordan's vocals are a little more flat, and nowhere near as listenable, but no less energetic.
If there's any problem with this album, it's that many of the songs sound the same. There are some definite highlights, like the opener, "Digging Around," or the Patti Smith inspired "Packing Up," but on the whole it can get hard to discern one song from another. However, the general level of quality is high on Hunker Down, and I wouldn't hesitate recommending that people pick it up.
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