If It's Too Loud...

Garage rock is one of those genres that will never die. There always seem to be new garage bands popping up, all copying that classic lo-fi 1960's sound to varying success. It's hard to explain why some garage rock throwback artists work and some don't. Narco States are one that works. Narco States are back with their new album, Temples Into Tombs . While the new album fits right into the classic garage rock sound, they've brought in a slightly more aggressive, more unhinged sound. It's a little less ? and the Mysterians this time around, and a little more The Stooges and MC5. "Fascist Fashionistas" is a great example of this sound. It's pure classic garage rock, complete with an organ and a fuzzy groove, but there's a menace lurking in the song. "Met Tet," the album opener, is an absolute rager that feels like the band are barely in control of the song, and it might get away from them at any moment. The title track, "Temples Int...

There's nothing revolutionary about Minneapolis's Narco States. They're doing the exact same type of garage/psych rock that has been around for at least 50 years. That might be what is so fantastic about them. There aren't many bands that tap into the exact vibe of the 60s garage movement. They capture the perfect, timeless sound for anyone who's a fan of The 13th Floor Elevators, Lyres, and every band that has ever played "Louie Louie." I think that's what is what is so great about garage rock. As soon as you hear it, it screams "1960s," but it doesn't sound dated at all. Narco States released Wicked Sun  back in December. It's an instant classic with only 8 songs. "The Architect" is a stand out track, and it crams all of the epic-ness of "Teenage Riot" into under 4 minutes. The actual epic of the album, "Invasion," is the shortest near 7 minute song in existence. You know how The Stooges always had ...