This instrumental guitar and drum duo sure knows how to give an unspoken lecture. After a brief electronic in-joke intro to the class, I'm getting a strict lesson on "Biblical Violence" yet I can't begin to comprehend the complexity, patterns, and time changes. And I thought I knew something about breakdowns, drum fills, and hyper-reality before hearing this. (Reference: I feel like I'm seriously cheating on Mr. Don Caballero in a maelstrom on who-knows-what kind of uppers.)
"Republic of Rough and Ready" drops a clever handclap breakdown mid-song for a measure in something like 5/7 then back to the methodological rocking turbulence. I need Cliffs Notes on how these guys are following each other and how to count. The two of them sound like ten—thunderously pounding; it's easy to forget there isn't a bass player involved.
Track five, "1-800-Ghost-Dance," leads in with guitars ringing in both ear with a throbbing ride driven beat, but wait—suddenly they drop into a drastic yet smooth segue to another groove which they don't settle into for more then a minute. This track showcases their technique perfectly.
This record is not chaotic in the "I can't listen to this" vein; this assault is pre-determined and directed with precision and glistening attack designs. I can't say enough about this combo, very flashy but with such taste, leading me to hypothesis of this as some sort of lesson on paradoxes. And that is the defining moment of today's seminar—HELLA blurs any explanation and presents new confusion and education.
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