I thought with all the rave reviews this has been getting and my procrastinating getting around to a full album of theirs (although being very impressed with what I've heard) that I'd get around to listening to this fabulous record.
Before a Million Universes by
Big Ups
Year: 2016
My first exposure to this group was when my punk-inclined buddy encouraged me to check them out. And wow, did they impress me on first listen. The group takes a lot of cues from Albini and fits in nicely alongside modern post-hardcore outfits like KEN mode and The Men. Much like Shellac and Big Black, they perform noisy, abrasive punk rock, topped with the elements I love out of Slint, like the sweeping guitarwork and crazed spoken word vocals. Unlike Albini however, there's no room for tongue in cheek humor or occasional beauty. This stuff is certainly hardcore, and straightforward at it's base. The songs end abruptly and at just the right moments so that they don't dwindle on aimlessly. Very satisfying, energetic listen. Overall great album.
9/10