Posts tagged gb city
Hot on the heels of the dirty, sweaty rock band Derek reviewed last week comes a related ruckus in Bass Drum of Death on their debut album, GB City. They’re a little more punk and a lot less polished, but just like The Kills, they’re a band of two who can bring the noise despite their numbers. John Barrett riffs on guitar and rants on the microphone, while Colin Sneed roughs up the drum kit – and yes, with plenty of bass drum. John wrote and recorded the entire album himself with real instruments and a computer, so he sounds like quite the creative force.
Sounds Like:
The Black Keys got into a bar brawl with the Ramones over The Chiffons
In addition to guitar, drums and voice, Bass Drum of Death layers on plenty of fuzz and static. Lots of power chords, simple guitar lines, crashing cymbals, nagging vocals and falsetto back-ups. The duo delivers their sound with the unwavering fuck-it-all/know-it-all attitude of a twenty-something who’s old enough to know better but still too young to care. They change it up enough to keep things interesting, but their sound wades into a sea of sameness at times.
Key Tracks:
Nerve Jamming, Get Found, Young Pros
Still, they’ve got a handful of standout tracks. “Nerve Jamming” comes pounding in on drums as the album opener, quickly followed nervous chord crunches and stuttering-over-themselves vocals. Jon’s screeching voice is backed by a nice touch of falsetto back-ups and a simple waning guitar riff. Soon thereafter comes “Get Found,” the clear single on GB City. Plenty of bass drum and a killer guitar lick keeps this one chugging along full-speed. It’s got enough stiff-upper-lip ‘tude to go around, and ends with a combo of cymbals, chants and shrieks that’s sure to get your blood boiling. “Young Pros” shows up to the party a little later. It’s a bouncy, ruckus affair that showcases Bass Drum of Death’s penchant for mullet-esque metal – poppy, doo-wop in the front, filthy garage rock in the back. The bonus track cover of “He’s So Fine” by the Chiffons reveals where the pair gets their penchant for 50s style pop.
Best Lyric:
I talk to Elvis in my sleep / He says I’m cracked out / But at least I got nowhere to be – “Velvet Itch”
What’s lacking most consistently is depth and exploration within each song. These guys are so straightforward that they seem to keep a lot of the tracks at a simple, superficial level. At times it works, and at other times it leaves me wanting more. Perhaps they’d benefit from adding a bassist and/or second guitarist, or at least recording a little more of each. Clearly, they’re insisting on a bare-bones approach; I’m just not sure they have the composition to pull it off. Wouldn’t it be ironic if their guitar-and-drums-approach ultimately pounded the bass drum of death for Bass Drum of Death? Not that it will, of course.
Bass Drum of Death performing “Young Pros”
GB City is a strong first effort for Bass Drum of Death. Despite their reliance on effects and fuzz, they’ve definitely got a subtle doo-woppy approach to garage punk that makes their sound unique. Put a talented producer behind them that can optimize their style, and this duo will rock my socks off with their next album.
Overall Rating:
