Parts and Labor
http://www.partsandlabor.net

styles: noise rock, punk rock, no wave
others: Lightning Bolt, Single Frame, Neon Hunk, Trans Am

Groundswell
JMZ, 2003
rating: 4/5
reviewer: amneziak


Forewarning: When you read anything about Parts and Labor, one of the first things you’ll come across is the word Lightning Bolt. So – Lightning Bolt! There, I’ve said it. Now I can get on with the rest of the review.

With that said, it’s sometimes hard for a band making their introduction into the world of music due to all the bands they get tagged as “ripping off.” In some cases this is justifiable, but in others, I think it’s just an easy means to an end. In the case of the Brooklyn trio Parts and Labor, I firmly believe that these are just three young men who are a product of the music they love. Music that is fast, heavy, melodic, and even on occasion, quite destructive. But what you’re going to quickly find out about Parts and Labor is that the results of their love for music translate very well to disc. 

Groundswell is a dense concoction of noise, punk, and no wave that is woven together in a tight little package. From the moment the album begins, you get a clear understanding of the path these guys are trying to head down. There’s no pretension here, just good heavy rock that gets to the point. Most of the songs on Groundswell start with subtle intros that begin to enlarge into releases of pure energy, and although they all seem to fall short of five minutes in length, this album is quite large when listened to in succession.

Once past the intro, “Autopilot” resembles one of my favorite elements of Single Frame’s music with high-pitched polyrhythmic keyboards and pounding drums. “Mike Burke for President” also utilizes these same elements, but does so in a completely original, and new way. The playful vibe of tracks like “Railgun” gives the album a lighter tone, and one that is occasionally needed. On the title track, “Groundswell,” the album ends with what I think is a sample from one of my favorite Fog songs, “Plumb Dumb.”   

While Groundswell really does sound like a lot of other bands, I can’t help but thoroughly enjoying this album. The overall sound is much more appealing than a lot of stuff by either Trans Am or Don Caballero. The musicianship here is not as precisely focused, and when it’s left to just move along, you’ll realize that it’s a very strong debut album. The only thing that may keep it from competing on the same levels as the aforementioned groups is that it’s hard to demand people’s attention when the same type of music is currently being hyped so much. On the other hand, if you’re one of those people who just can’t get in to the extremities of Lightning Bolt (damn I said it), this will probably be closer to something you’ll be able to stomach.        

1. It’s Not the End of the World
2. Autopilot
3. Mike Burke for President
4. Intervention
5. Parts & Labor
6. Happy New Year
7. Railgun
8. Broken Man Going To Work
9. TB Strut
10. Groundswell