Parts and Labor Constant Future (Jagjaguwar)
4/5
By: Stephen Maughan
Constant Future is the fifth album from this Brooklyn based band, and it continues their quest to mix elements of psychedelic rock, hardcore punk, and space-age pop.
Parts and Labor have long been worthy contenders to the crown of the American underground scene - aside from crushingly heavy guitars and those psychedelic outbursts, this is a band that knows how to create melodies and tunes to die for. Yet if anything, Constant Future embraces infectious melodies and, dare I say it, mainstream anthemic rock (see ‘A Thousand Roots’) far more than any of their previous releases.
But don't worry, we are far from Foo Fighters territory here. Parts and Labor have not abandoned the trademark hazy feedback that wouldn't be out of place on early Sonic Youth records. Indeed, Constant Future has a sharp melodic edge with drums that feel like they’re physically smashing down onto you with every beat. Along with the crawling, spider-like bass that gets into your skin track after track, Constant Future is a clear and constant explanation as to why Parts and Labor are lauded as both such an enjoyable and intelligent band simultaneously.
The cryptic lyrics are a treasure on their own. Like previous P&L releases, you might not get all the references (and I sure as hell can't even make out any obvious love songs) but though things might initially strike you as bleak, but there's warm hope to be found around every corner. As ‘Pure Annihilation’ has it, this is a band optimistically “picking coins out of the fountain while we wait in our blood”, whilst their audience swim in a backdrop of crisp but melting guitars.
For a group who have been around for ten years now, it’s a joy to report that Parts and Labor remain as innovative and exciting as ever, and show no signs up ceasing to develop with every release.
Artists in this article: Parts & Labor
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