Black Eyes

Black Eyes are something of a curiosity. For one thing, they have two drummers, and before you go and tell me, "Oh, well the Dead was using two drummers years ago, thats nothing new" first of all, this aint the Dead, and second of all, it's what you do with two drummers that counts. The other thing is, they sound like almost nobody I have ever heard. There was a DC band called the AllScars that this reminds me of a little, and some people find delight in comparing them to the Brooklyn-based band The Liars. But frankly, I hate The Liars, and while this is a DC band and they do have some DC sound, it sounds completely different from everything else off of Dischord Records. Frantic is one word that comes to mind, but that may be because it seems like everyone in the band is trying to sing (scream?) at once, and while this may sound upsetting it is not. It adds a unique sound of mayhem to the polyrhythmic double drumming. The band also employs two bass players, a technique I find quite effective, also adding to the rhythmic complexity of the band. The last addition is the guitar. The guitar, in respect for the already overwhelming palette, makes noise as opposed to riffs. This is the perfect icing on the cake. Were they to try and write a guitar line or riff that was to go with the rest of the music, it would either just be too much, or become a prog-rock record. But as it is, this record stands as a hyper blast of Sonic Youth inspired, danceable, DC inspired punk rock.

As a side note, this is the last Dischord Records album I will post here for a while. They are an incredible company that deserves your hard earned cash, and yes, I do somewhat worship Ian MacKaye and I dont want to step on any feet.