If It's Too Loud...

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 genera...

From the few songs that Guerilla Toss have released so far, Eraser Stargazer  is going to be a total departure for the band. Not that they're going to be releasing an album of alt-country ballads, but this album is just different. "Doll Face on the Calico Highway" is a pretty intense song by other bands' standards, but for Guerilla Toss it's almost like a Bon Jovi ballad. The song is a slightly slower than mid-tempo spoken word plodder. The band seems to be shedding the attention grabbing shriek of noise punk, and are instead moving towards the aggravation of art rock. It will still get you weird looks from the others in your work cubicle farm, but maybe they'll ask you what it is instead of just demanding you turn it off. Eraser Stargazer  is due out on March 4 on DFA Records. You can get more information on Guerilla Toss via their Bandcamp  and Facebook . Watch the lyric video for "Doll Face on the Calico Highway" below.

Photo by Ken Sears It's very rare that you can ever use the terms "noise" and "party" to describe music, but that's exactly what Guerilla Toss do. With "Diamond Girls," the first single off their upcoming album Eraser Stargazer , they own that distinction. The song opens up with a tribal beat and a looping electronic squeal, then Kassie Carlson's vocals kick in as a taunting chant of "Who do you know?/ Ha ha ha." There is so much going on in the song it's nearly impossible to keep it all straight, but you'll want to try. It's the kind of song that might give you a headache the first time you listen, but it's completely worth it. And you'll happily listen again almost immediately. Eraser Stargazer  is out March 4 on DFA Records. Listen to "Diamond Girls" below. For more info on Guerilla Toss, check out their Bandcamp or Facebook .

Coming out of Brighton, Prinzhorn Dance School have released the first single from their forthcoming album. "Reign" is minimalist new wave that recalls early Depeche Mode and remind me of a dark Gang of Four. With the slightest shred of instrumentation, the track is intense as can be, and creates a haunting mood that will follow you for weeks. The song is as addictive as crack. When I first heard it last week, I liked it. Now, I've become obsessed with Prinzhorn Dance School, going back and listening to previous albums. "Reign" is still as intense of their previous albums, but somehow feels more human. It could be because most of their new album's tracks were recorded on the first take, before overthinking and overproduction can become an issue. Home Economics is due out on June 9th from DFA Records. You can listen to "Reign" below. To find out more about Prinzhorn Dance School, head over to their website , and go here to pre-order the album. ...