Metz

METZ, “Drained Lake”

There’s a relentlessness in this kind of noise rock, where the songs specialize in a propulsive beat that just keeps chainsawing ahead regardless of what else is going on. I’ve compared the sound to a malfuntioning machine, and I think in both the steadiness of it and in the harshness of some of the noises it fits. Brilliant stuff.

The Squirrels, “Money”

There’s plenty of hay to be made in mocking the pomposity of big 70s rock. Punk rock, of course, is largely a reaction to it, both in defining everything the aesthetics of punk were not as well as providing a source for mockery. But it’s not limited to just punk, the bloated blimps of AOR are juicy enough targets that everybody takes a shot.

Floor, “Trick Scene”

Floor is one of the two bands that Steve Brooks leads. Initially, Floor broke up and Brooks formed Torche, but then he brought back Floor and a couple of Floor albums have been released while Torche has still been active. Because it’s the same guy singing and writing the songs, there’s not a ton to separate the bands. I suppose that Torche might be a little poppier? Anyway, both bands rule, and this Floor album (Oblation) in particular is outstanding.

Zeke, “Action”

Fuck yeah garage rock! Spending a bunch of flowery words on this seems anthithetical to the spirit of things, so, again: fuck yeah!

Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, “Black Motorcade”

Kind of a horror-themed psych band, Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats mostly trade in atmosphere. When it’s effective, it’s creepy and unsettling. But they miss as often as they hit for me, and when it misses, it’s just kind of meandering. This album (The Night Creeper) doesn’t work for me as well as the other album I have (Blood Lust).

METZ, “Drained Lake”

The closest that noise rock ever really got to any kind of mass popularity was in the late 90s, when the grunge tide lifted up the boats of related acts like Helmet and some folks got major label contracts. But this stuff is intentionally abrasive, and none of it every broke through for good reason. While some grunge acts and followers became huge, noise rock went right back into the underground. But, happily, there’s still bands like METZ keeping the flame alive, and this is even from 2017! Recent! Although, again: I listen to the same shit, even if some of it was made not long ago.

Queens of the Stone Age, “If I Had A Tail”

There were six years between the majestic, jagged Era Vulgaris and the return album …Like Clockwork, and that time was apparently spent with Homme thinking about bringing things back to the turn of the millenium. To my ears, this album sounds more like Songs for the Deaf than anything else, which is not a bad thing at all. It took a little bit for the album to grow on me, and while I’m still not sure I’d place it at the top of their pile, it’s a fine album from one of the best rock bands around.