Band: Disappears
Kranky, 2010
Local Chicago band Disappears is one of the best new bands in the Chicago and national independent music scene. LUX their first studio album on Kranky, is a perfect example of the newest revival of the hypnotic shoegaze rock music of the 1990's. Bands like Deerhunter and Disappears have taken heavy influence from previous rock innovators My Bloody Valentine and Chapterhouse and created strikingly edgy music while retaining an original sound, Deerhunter leaning toward more a more poppy, ambient sound, while Disappears takes a more 60's Stooges, psych-punk direction. While disappears may have guitars that hone more distortion, both bands seem to have very tight control of their sound and LUX is a great example of Disappear's ability to harness their years of experience in music. Lead singer Brian Case, previously a guitarist and member of another local Chicago band The Ponys, and other members of the band playing in different groups are able to bring their experiences together to create an album that allows them to express new ideas while straying away from previous mistakes they have made on albums. LUX opens with a powerful, fortress of a song, Gone Completely, who's bass and guitars blend in to a wall of sound that becomes impenetrable by the end. Case who sings through a microphone that has been attached to a delay pedal, creates an ominous voice that you happily follow while it guides you through many of their songs. Lead guitarist Jonathan Van Herik's distorted reverb doused lead guitar, creates a place for the listener to attach themselves to many of Disappears jammy sounding songs like Little Ghost and Magics. There are a few songs that seem underdeveloped, but still make you want to bang your head to Graeme Gibson's very tribal, rhythmic drumming.
There are a few punky songs on LUX like Old Friend and New Cross which are enjoyable on their own, but distract from the hypnotic tendencies the other songs on the album have. A few songs on LUX become repetitive, but never was I bored with this album. Through LUX disappears is able to transmit a potent sound that combines psych, punk, rock, and shoegaze to create not only a great album, but a great live show. Disappears demonstrates not only in LUX but their newest album GUIDER that they are band that are capable of great things things. With the recent addition of Sonic Youth's Steve Shelly who knows where the band will go.
Rating: 7/10
Favorite Tracks: Gone Completely, Magics, Lux, Little Ghost
Available on Mediafire: YES
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