Grooms- Rejoicer (Death By Audio Rec)
Formerly known as The Muggabears, this Brooklyn based trio who have been milling around the indie scene for a good 5 years are back with some line up changes, yet still deliver blissful noise-pop with a hint of shoegaze buried under the melodies and sonic experimentation.
'Rejoicer' takes on a lot of fuzzy and distorted guitars ala Sonic Youth, and couples them with dischordant, intellectual, fiery pop structures that strike the perfect blend between noise and melody in a way that few bands have perfected. Sometimes ambient noise, other times darker and droning, and yet at other points sounding not unlike a building collapsing, Grooms build songs layered in sad beauty with accomplished interplay between the players. Great use of the pedal steel and scream choirs, the songs shift from jangly, guitar driven and hushed to weird and devastatingly loud.
An instantly likeable disc, Grooms put a twist on the standard indie rock fare with abrupt guitar changes, bizarre noises and unconventional song structures. Sure, it's out there, unorthodox, iconoclastic and going directy against the status quo in pop music. But it's also refreshing and unique- something that really challenges the listener.
This outfit sure has come a long ways from the bedroom recordings of frontman Travis Johnson in suburban Texas. A full on power trio now, 'Rejoicer' is an excellent starting point for a band with an illustrious career ahead of them. Available October 13.
Hear it: http://www.myspace.com/groomsmusic
Buy it: http://deathbyaudiorecords.blogspot.com/
