Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Guerilla Toss - Eraser Stargazer

Eraser Stargazer marks a departure not only for Guerilla Toss, but for noise punk as a whole. Noise punk is typically always in your face, loud, and obnoxious. Eraser Stargazer is less punk and more pop. By pop, I don't mean it's a Katy Perry song with a few bleeps, although there is a heavy electronic element. It's not digital hardcore, either, although singer Kassie Carlson's voice does remind me of Hanin Elias of Atari Teenage Riot. 

Guerilla Toss are carving out their own path here. It's almost like dance music that isn't even coming close to trying to be enjoyable. It's not a very pleasant listen, but it's not overpowering you. It's the musical equivalent of when Lisa and Maggie kept poking Bart's bandage after he had his tattoo removed. A song like "Grass Shack" truly reflects this. You might want to try dancing to it. It does have a groove, after all. But you'll have no idea how. I would call it noise punk for a generation raised on American Idol and The Voice, but I think the element that shows the most here is their fandom for The Grateful Dead is finally showing. 

Eraser Stargazer is available now on DFA Records. You can get more information on Guerilla Toss, and get your own copy of the album, on their Bandcamp.

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