*1/2 Analouge
ROCK PROPER
(Rubric Recordings/Op Pop Pop)
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The
past decade has seen a spate of instrumental indie acts, including Tortoise,
Gastr del Sol, and God Speed You Black Emperor!, expand the boundaries of
conventional rock through their eclectic appropriation of alternate songforms
and styles, notably improvisation and dub. Yet at times these acts have evoked
the hoary specter of progressive rock through their conspicuous use of
elongated song cycles, convoluted time signatures, and faux jazz
refrains. Sometimes it's seemed that the only thing separating contemporary
post-rock from the prog-rock of the past has been the absence of medieval
lyrics.
Analogue, however, are one post-rocky outfit who cross over to the dark side
too often for comfort. The tightly coiled tracks on Rock Proper, the
group's spirited debut, feel as if they'd been penned with protractor in hand,
even when the warm, cheesy tone of what sounds like Farfisa organ occasionally
intrudes to bring out '60s garage-rock undertones. The hyperactive bass,
glockenspiel percussion, and kindergarten synth lines bring to mind Rush
filtered through emo-core-style zealotry. So instead of the adventurous edge
that animates post-rock's best releases, Analogue infuse their instrumental
compositions with little more than dry displays of technique that for the most
part bleed Rock Proper of anything resembling joy, humor, or surprise.
(Damien Jurado opens for Pedro the Lion on Thursday October 19 upstairs at
the Middle East. Call 864-EAST.)
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