Amps Go to 12 for a Dozen Rods
By Joey on April 13, 2010 in mp3blog
I take my obsessions in serious spurts, and the most recent 12 Rods spurt has been quite glorious and fulfilling. As all great bands cannot be genre defined, I will abstractly compare this native Minnesotan band with the likes of a little Superchunk, tads of Ian MacKaye, and bits of Debussy. I know that description probably is more confusing than helpful, so I will both try to explain, and urge the checking out of this band.
I hear Superchunk in the nasally, incessantly catchy wandering vocals, and extremely tight instrumentation. Ian comes through with the intensity of the group, and Debussy is eminent because the sound is incredibly lush and complicated, although minimalist at times.
Gay? EP is constructed as a coherent entity. The music weaves in and out of feels, tempos, and emotions smoother than the smoothest of alcoholic beverages. It is one of those few albums that leave me jittering by the end, and air playing all of the instruments throughout. As a side note, pitchfork seems to agree with me, giving this album a rare 10/10 rating usually reserved for the Beatles.
12 Rods - Gay? EP
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Wow! I love your writing - and your Debussy reference is really enticing. I just may have to listen to 12 Rods (if I can find them).