Cloud Nothings latest effort, Attack On
Memory is a startling revelation - an aggressive, emotional paean to youth
angst.On this release, band impresario
Dylan Baldi strips away the layers of self-awareness and irony that accrue with
age and temper this impulse, instead, reveling in it.In providing points of comparison, it's
possible for parallels to be drawn with the latest releases from current
alt-rock revivalists Yuck (QRO photos)
and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (QRO
live review), though the darker and more introspective tone of Attack On
Memory immediately distinguishes it from its peers.Reaching further into the past, it's easy to
identify the influence of acts like The Replacements (QRO deluxe edition reviews), The Afghan Whigs, and Jawbox, in
addition to the palpable sway of early emotional hardcore.Dwelling on their influences does this group
a disservice however as on this album they've clearly distinguished themselves.
Opener "No Future/No Past" is
counter-intuitively the weakest track, but once traversed the record opens up
with "Wasted Days", a punishing, punk-infused howler that crackles with
anger.On this track and "Separation",
instrumental breakdowns crescendo, swirl and convulse, enveloping the
listener in walls of sound.This is a
loud record, the greater fidelity ushered in by alt-legend Steve Albini in his
production on this album lends a palpable force to these songs, perfectly
bottling the obviously prodigious energies of the band.
His work is facilitated by the technical ability
of the musicians Baldi has accrued.Their
talent is indisputable and they deliver his creations with aplomb, alternately
flaying their instruments to within an inch of their inanimate lives and
exercising restraint when required.Though
it would be impossible to characterize any of the tracks off this album as
uplifting, tonally, "Fall In"and "Stay Useless" are the brightest of
the bunch, providing some respite from the bleakness of the rest of the album.
The pervasive despondency of Dylan Baldi's
lyrical efforts here don't provide any revelatory insight into the common
alt-rock tropes of romantic chagrin, frustrated personal ambition and
squandered hope.His delivery however,
in its unabashed earnestness, elevates otherwise mundane lines like, "I thought I would be more than this,"
into rallying cries for the apathetic.Through
his communicative passion he saves the album from wallowing in introspection
and self-pity.
It can't be emphasized enough how far they've
departed from their first release Turning On though in retrospect, its
clear that their self-titled sophomore release closely presaged Attack On
Memory.This album is a stunning
achievement, further infusing the resuscitated alt-rock scene with new vigour
and power.
Click here for photos of Cloud Nothings at CMJ 2011 in New York, NY in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Cloud Nothings latest effort, Attack On
Memory is a startling revelation - an aggressive, emotional paean to youth
angst.
Fueled with Voodoo Doughnuts, Alcoholic Faith Mission
delivered to a rockin' crowd in Portland.
Those lucky enough to
enter the House of Blues Boston took a spacey journey
that felt like one long dream starting with opening act I Break Horses.
The student-filled O2 Academy in Manchester started heaving
forward the instant the visual art showed "The Cribs" on the backdrop.
