Behold! The LCD Soundsystem of the noise rock world! Like everyone's favorite MIA tourmate, the Punks were started by the owner of a cred-spewing record label (in this case, Slim Moon of Kill Rock Stars). Like the Soundsystem, they also spout ironic love letters to the genre they know inside and out. And like the Soundsystem, the aesthetic of the Punks explicitly calls out their influences (they gleefully show their love for Black Dice by actually titling a song "Beaches and Canyons"). Of course, there is a point where the Soundsystem comparison has to be dropped. In every third Venn Diagram there's information only relevant to one circle. LCD Soundsystem definitely holds "flawless execution" in their circle. In the Punks' circle, however, someone has written, "flaws are funny, right?"
Because most of this album just isn't good. Opener "Theme From John Chavez" is a ridiculously amateur programmed drum beat with a building wall of squeals and giggles. It sounds like every Ween outtake ever. And the third "Untitled" song recycles childhood toy animal noises over dull beats and keyboards. The intensity never rises for the Punks; they seem only to be interested in jamming on the first idea they get in their heads. And the only thing that makes this album even semi-memorable is the childlike musicianship. People are always saying noise bands have no talent? I think the Punks are proof of what happens when a noise band tries to erase talent from the equation. This album gives me a new appreciation for what countless other noise bands do with sound, because everything is so ridiculously flat here.
Noise is such a funny genre because what us indie kids usually hear from it is only the really really high-profile stuff. Wolf Eyes, Lightning Bolt, Gang Gang Dance, Hair Police, Black Dice -- and those are all bands full of talented musicians. But here's a high-profile noise band (because of Slim Moon's position as head of KRS) that doesn't back up the promise with talent. They seem to back it up only with knowledge of the noise scene, charisma and a childlike enthusiasm and execution. It wears thin way too fast. I'm a big proponent of smart noise rock, and it's sad that the Punks are the first band to talk about noise so self-consciously because they can't do the idea justice due to the face they're not a very good noise group. Don't spend your money on this, but download it and listen to it. It'll make those Black Dice albums a thousand times better. And if that's the Punks' place in the world, that's cool with me. I hope they proudly display it on their Venn Diagram.
1. Theme {From John Chacez
2. Jean Tracolta
3. Rock N Roll Punks Rock Rock and Roll
4. Drop It Like It's Hot
5. Beaches and Canyons
6. Turn Up the Awesome
7. Comida}
More about: The Punks
