Back in June I had my first encounter with Brooklyn, New York duo The Triceratops when I reviewed their S/T EP for this very site. Fast forward a few months and we have the band's debut full-length Charge! which is again being released by Minneapolis' mighty Learning Curve label.
As a quick recap, The Triceratops are comprised of John Van Atta (Vocals/Guitar) and Melvin Monroe (Drums/Vocals) who met when they worked as stagehands at the legendary CBGBs in the early 1990s. For their latest release, the band again teams up with Andrew Schneider (Cave In, Unsane and KEN Mode) but this time in the producer's chair rather than just the mixing desk. Such a move is indicative of a band wanting to beef up their sound and I for one can't wait to hear the results!
'Can't Take You' is sprightly upbeat Punk-Pop that recalls vintage bands such as Jawbreaker. Like Jawbreaker, there are enough rough, angular edges to keep the music interesting and hard-hitting; think the best song The Foo Fighters never wrote. An excellent start. 'The Saddest Story In Science' is a fascinating blend of Pop-Rock immediacy and Post-Hardcore dynamism, perhaps similar territory to Shudder to Think and Rival Schools. I always have time for a bit of nostalgia and this fits the bill perfectly. 'I'll Go If You Go' was one of the album's premiere singles and it's obvious to hear why. A love song, its Grungy Noise-Pop is akin to Siamese Dreams era Smashing Pumpkins, while 'Efficiency Expert' is contrastingly far more abrasive, demonstrating a rougher Noise-Rock side to the band's repertoire with its Unsane, Helmet and Sludgy Melvins influences. The band demonstrates an ability to kick ass with the rest of their Learning Curve labelmates. 'Neoliberal Bedtime Routine' may be a short acoustic piece but what it lacks in volume it mores than makes up for with searing socio-political commentary, focusing on the physical and emotional toil of overworked parents and 'Straight With You' has a slackerish Dinosaur Jr vibe with lackadaisical Vocals and ample amounts of distortion.
'We Will Shatter' the album's other preview track, is a personal favourite. The anthemic charms of Bruce Springsteen come to mind and how seemingly uplifting the whole thing sounds despite the relatively downbeat lyrical fare. 'On and On' resonates with me as a Cure fan with the moody introspection and yearning Vocals reminiscent of Robert Smith and Co. 'The Triceratops' the shortest track on the album at a mere ten seconds is prime time Descendents, which continues on 'Neoliberal Bedtime Ritual', the adrenalized sequel to 'Neoliberal Bedtime Routine'. 'Disasters' seems to recount the trials and tribulations of being in a band done to a Indie-Punk Superchunk soundtrack. 'Distance' is another Acoustic number whose lo-fi sensibility points to Jonah Matranga's post-Far solo project onelinedrawing but with soaring choral Vocal effects and 'A Deep And Lovely Sound' is a mix of (again) The Cure with The Band's Country/Folk intonations, an odd but brilliantly effective mix. 'Something Done Right' the album's longest track at over four minutes is a slow burner and less immediate than anything heard on the record so far and showcases the band's ability to write more complex, denser sounding tracks. A fascinating listen. 'Underwater Dreams' as with 'Distance' is a delicate sounding number with the Vocal harmonies of The Beatles and New Zealanders Crowded House, a blissful conclusion to the album.
The Triceratops have not only lived up to the promise set by their S/T EP but pretty much smashed all expectations to deliver a brilliantly diverse, catchy and engrossing album. Superb.
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