The vocals on Rat Jacket even go in an almost Jane’s Addiction direction some places when a note is sustained, and into harsher yells and growls when the dynamics call for it. The influences are all over the place; some grooves even remind me of Fugazi. While this is not as organic as many of the bands whose names have surfaced thus far in the review, they are invoking more of an organic feel than what was actually going on in the studio. There is a more experimental intro to “Total Immunity.” The excellent use of samples add to the atmosphere, though I obviously have a soft spot when reminded of music from this era.
Passionate, yet not darkly dramatic enough to call the aggression and attitude of “Early Release” goth. The pounding this song locks into is both original and heavy. Two minutes into the song, it has already taken me through the fun-house once in it’s herky jerky arrangement. If the drums are programmed, they did an excellent job blending them in and have fooled my ears.
There is a moment of ambiance going into “At Least In Prison I Had You,” before going into a militant post-punk beat that contrasts the croon of the vocals. The guitar adds odd, angular melodies on the edges of the song as it continues to stomp along in a jarring fashion. So you can color me impressed as hell by the growth this project shows on their new EP. This is one of those albums you can get lost in and let play on repeat all afternoon. The four songs here leave me wanting more, which is the best thing a band can do. Rat Jacket has me looking forward to the hopes of a new direction we might be able to expect these guys to grow in.
