Archers of Loaf
Archers of Loaf
When somebody says the words 'Indie Rock', bands most likely to be spewed into the conversation will be Modest Mouse, Pavement, Guided By Voices, Sebadoh etc etc. North Carolina's Archers of Loaf merely get a nodded approval, which is slightly bewildering considering the quality of their first two releases.
For the sake of this review i'm going to attach my consideration exclusively to the debut, Icky Mettle, released in 1993. This is an album that will have you bouncing off the walls. Wonderfully accessable and sophisticated, every song is replete to the tonsils with a carefully focused energy. The band were masters in knowing when to hold back and when to absolutely explode, consequently evoking a dynamism that leaves every yell, every beat and every riff reverberating deep inside your stomach.
Musically they adhere to the standard rock template; two guitars and a rhythm section, there is nothing particularly experimental or groundbreaking about what these guys do. The majesty of the album comes in it's execution. Who needs to push boundaries and innovate when you can concocte songs like these? Web in the Front, Wrong, You and Me, Sick File and Learo Youre a Hole are all exceptional pop songs, dealing with issues such as disillusionment and resignation. They take influence from such luminaries as Dinosaur Jr, the Melvins and the Replacements, moulding a sound driven by distorted dual-leads and hardcore-punk energy to unleash an impassioned commentary on the scene that spawned them.
Amidst the slew of great albums releasedin the early-mid 90s from myriad bands labelled Indie Rock, this is a standout effort. No other band quite manages to incorporate such an impactful blend of noise rock and pop and make it as meaningful as Archers of Loaf do.