A recent Outhud review talked fancy circles around suggesting the group's new sound was meritable for pushing boundaries. Now I'm a fan of original, exploratory sounds within a given aesthetic framework on a follow-up, but it needs to be said (as we did here) that Let Us Never Speak is crap. It sounds like shit. It fails to move and it adds vocals in a way that is tiresome rather than evolved. I, for one think the band has gotten worse instead of better.
Those early instrumental singles may have been "derivative" in the music nerd sense, but when I heard them they sounded not only new, but like an infectiously perfect match of rock and dance music. "Defendants Song" and "Kibbeb" are two very strong examples you can go to. My hope is that the band will release an LP collecting those singles so that there will be a definitive Outhud album that isn't just inane fodder for rigidly contrarian aestheticians.
These snobs would probably snort smugly at the idea of reassessing some dusty post rock chestnut. But there are solid documents like Heroic Doses that, while they may not inspire reviewers to wax analytic, deserve their fair measure of publicity for their refreshingly wholesome sounds. (Never mind that the group is now six years disbanded.)
Made up of members of various Chicago instrumental rock outfits, Heroic Doses specialized in making technically proficient, guitar and drums anthems that surely delivered on the promise made by their moniker. Only "Ollie Oxen Free" falls prey to some aimless, murky filler that certainly could've been left out. I'm confident in saying that those of you who like rock music, and feel that modern instrumental rock spends more time brooding than it oughta, this is your record.
What we've got here is some jaunty little numbers that execute enough high-flying rock kicks without overstating it. If you've heard 5ive Style, then I can tell you that this record is 5ive Style with their shit fully together -- not a lick wasted. Not since Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein" has their been an instrumental rock that sling-shots quite like this. I'd discuss highlights, but this album is too solid. "Is She Queer" is a plunky little dub number that reviewers wrote off, but I've found that it grows on you. It speaks to the unashamedly noodley quality of the record.
It should be noted that while nothing on here approaches the grandeur of Don Cab's "Repeat Defender" or the ferocity of Lightning Bolt, it's relative restraint and modest production lends the jams a subtle authenticity of their own. It may not be all that complex or original, but with Heroic Doses, fans of groove-centered rock music have themselves another instrumental staple to go to if they want it. And that's saying a lot in the convoluted current musical climate.
1. On the Corner
2. Gimme Less Friction
3. Reggie, Is It?
4. Pushy Girl
5. Crystals
6. Heroic Theme Song
7. Married To The Scene
8. The Mad Spackler
9. Ollie Oxen Free
10. Blank Ship
11. Is She Queer
12. Manic Kraut Rock
13. Euphonix
More about: Heroic Doses
