Sub/Shop - Democatessen

Sub/Shop is a band from Virginia which plays a very warm, organic version of post-hardcore. Democatessan displays guitars often strummed in a more jangling fashion than with any anger vented into the instrument, the vocals carrying little malice, as they are simply stated in a plainitive manner. In some ways, this kind of vocal delivery feels more like Sonic Youth in this regard. They are emotionally detached, allowing the attired to be conveyed by the lyrics, rather than constricted vocal cords. You can also hear traces of  Fugazi as one of the band's influences. The drummer invests a little more sweat equity into the playing of the second song though not quite reaching punk intensity. 

A casual exasperation begins to creep into the vocals and there is less struggle with the building of tension on the song 'Imposter'. Instead a boozier swagger is delivered to the indie rock shuffle which unfolds here, as well as some lingering tension in the guitar playing and vocals spat out in a more staccato fashion. 'Catch As Catch Can' has a more angular math rock feel to the way the riffs bob and weave; the Fugazi-like tone touches on how the vocals are phrased on this one. There is more emphasis placed on the urgency of the plea delivered, but not punk aggression. 'Navel Gazer' is less focused; it runs off momentum more than conventional songwriting with what passes as the chorus being punchier. The songs start to take on a more uniform sonic scope by the time the album winds around to 'Marble Madness', things beginning to run together, and I have to go back to give it another listen; there is more of an intensity this time round which carries a stormy feel that I can appreciate. 'Negative Discourse' finds the vocals finally fed up enough to let off a little steam and add more punk weight to their delivery. 

One of the strengths of the band showcased on this album is how they are effective in conveying their point and they do this in a manner that not easily defined. They are not dark enough to be post-punk, not confrontational enough to be hardcore; they fall into an often introspective middle ground which brings the indie rock of the 90s to mind. This helps set themselves apart from any of the buzzworthy Instagram hashtags, bringing things back to a more underground sound, despite the popularity this sort of thing might have had a few decades ago. In this way, it is a fresh take that still touches on a certain nostalgia, which is a smart approach, as it is not familiar enough to feel like a tribute to the era. Fans of punk adjacent college radio from the 90s will be taken back to their happy place with this record, while audiences too young to experience it at the time will get the chance to do so.

Review by Wil Cifer.