Glacial Pace (2014)
This is one of those records that I couldn't have been more ready for. With Numero Group reissuing the Unwound catalog recently, I've been in that mindset for some rough around the edges 90's style indie rock. Well, Justin Trosper and Brandy Sandero, both formerly of Unwound, answered the call and have released an absolute beast of an LP.
Survival Knife takes the very best parts of Unwound and combines them with the sort of pop sensibilities and catchy choruses that few people probably thought was possible considering the principal players involved. I've heard several friends compare aspects of Survival Knife to Hot Snakes, and while I agree that they do both have similar tones, Survival Knife is not a non-stop downstroke explosion like Hot Snakes. Survival Knife keeps things slightly cleaner, a bit less aggressive and, on more than a few instances. really takes advantage of some long, sprawling songs the way Unwound used to.
Eight minute plus tracks like "Cut The Quick" give Survival Knife the sort of canvas that allows them to meander a bit and explore some intricate but compelling guitar work. Yet the band is equally adept at blasting out a fast paced, in your face three and a half minute blasts like album opener "Divine Mob" or the stellar "Fell Runner." No matter the direction Survival Knife goes, the results are impressive.
Loose Power is absolutely one of the best 2 or 3 records to come out in 2014 so far. It's pretty much perfect. I'll even go so far as to say it's even better than most of Unwound's catalog. That's how fantastic I think this album is. If you were on the fence about checking this out, you are really missing out on something truly great.
Survival Knife - "Fell Runner":
Survival Knife - "Divine Mob":
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