Brendan Quinn (of Abunai!) and company (Rob McGregor, Mark Bennet, Mike Whitaker, Niall King) make good on Divisionists‘ debut EP’s claim, delivering 4 cuts of fuzzy, crunchy fat-free psych pop/rock showcasing a rock solid craftsmanship and hooks to spare. Despite some implications of their moniker, Divisionists are, if anything, cohesive, without placing any restrictions on their work. Quinn obviously drags a certain Abunai! hangover into the proceedings with his distinctive vocals and guitar work, but this isn’t Abunai! 2.0 or makes claims to be. “We Play Rock Music…” carries whiffs of Abunai! and their slightly skewed approach, and the psych overtones are there, but Divisionists excel in a deceptively straight-ahead delivery that has a strong rural, traditional base; think a little Ass Ponys (especially in their extended workout, Far From Home) in your Bevis and Abunai! hooks, a ragged looseness that’s wound up tight with sharp songwriting and an assured delivery by a group that knows exactly what they want. They want to play rock music, and they do. Very, very well. There’s an anachronistic aesthetic coursing through Divisionists that, considering their pedigree, comes across as elder statesmanship rather than anything stale. It’s classy, and classicist, without being aloof or out of reach of the gut. There’s a razor-sharp focus that makes it timeless, though the music is far from simplistic or unwilling to push the boundaries of a pop song or take flight. Far From Home stretches out for a lengthy run without ever over staying its welcome or slathering the basics with so much ornate dressing that the strength of the song is buried. Tyburn Tree is in no hurry either for a finish line, working a chugging beat, then opening up for an understated, though heady, workout that spotlights how much control and focus Divisionists have over their trade, even when elevating up to thinner air. Both Sides of the Question and Success are bothpop gems, bouncing along, the playing as infectious as the songs. The lyrics are sharp and precise, the choruses chime, allowing the hooks to sink in even more. In more ways than one, “We Play Rock Music…” simply is what it is, just as the title says. It’s a definition, mission and a summation of their priorities and what you’ll find inside the sleeve; not a statement of limitations or blinders. They really don’t need to dress it up any more than that to get the point across. The songs, from the more concise to the looser excursions, do that. And do it very, very well.
We Play Rock Music…” is available on limited vinyl and the other usual outlets. You can hear and download a couple live tracks from their site that are, well, rock music…
Sabatta bring their ragged garage soul/funk to I Blame the Parents Records for their newest, Sabatta. Spearheaded by Yinka Oyewole (with Zoltan Toth and Ricky Castellani), Sabatta mix heavy does of funk and soul with dirtied up rock for a stripped down, lean but muscular workout. Makes Me Feel Alive kicks it off setting the signposts for what’s ahead. There’s a definite yesteryear vibe right from the outset that wiggles through the rest of Sabatta, but by touching on rock, soul, funk and even pop, Sabatta sidesteps total retro immersion. Yinka Oyewole has stated that he’s lived and mixed with all kinds of people and places, and that variety and fusion serve Sabatta well. Supa Nastee sounds like it should; rumbling ragged bass and bottom end with fiery guitar. Living the Life is a great pop song that never panders and is a great set-up for So High. Revelation plays with the dynamics a bit more before Why Don’t You Call maintains the nasty. The rest of the album follows suit, stirring in the ingredients with different amounts to serve the songs, as well as the vibe.
No Part Of It :: Sabatta :: Sabatta (2011, I Blame the Parents)
How can I lose Wisdom Tooth one week, then compete with this:
“Featuring: Punk, KBD Punk, Hardcore, Garage Punk, D-Beat, Crust, Metal, Thrash, Crossover, Grind, Powerviolence, Black Metal, Chaotic Noise, and all types of illness.”
Gutter Satisfaction hits the air from 1 -3 a.m. tomorrow filling in the void left by my dearly departed Wisdom Tooth and BombRadio… we’ll never be the same. But we might get better {apologies to Wisdom Tooth …no disrespect intended}
Flame on.
But I’ll pick up that gauntlet. All kinds of goods in store this week … a new track from The Fierce & the Dead, salutes abound to Black History Month, and enough stuff to make Phil D. worried …
We’re going to try … Stellardrone, Phil Lynott, Ghost Box Orchestra, Meat Puppets, Wilson Pickett, Tadpoles, Ernie Isley, Traveling Circle, Jimi, Chamber Brothers, The Mystery Trend, Solaram, Trojan Horse … and … someone sit on this suitcase so I can close it …
An honor to fill in for Sir Gene on The British Breakfast … enjoy …
Ocean — Six. by Seven — 04 — Saturday Night Sunday Morning Records — 2004
Big Sur — Adam Franklin — Spent Bullets — Second Motion — 2008
Windsor Park — Arnold — Hillside — Columbia — 1998
•••••>> — — — —
Judy Starting at the Sun — Catherine Wheel — Happy Days — Mercury — 1995
Fear SOS — The Lea Shores — Psychedelica III — Northern Star UK — 2009
Stress Position — Steve Mason — Boys Outside — Domino — 2010
Fire in My Heart — Super Furry Animals — Guerilla — Flydaddy — 1999 Read more of this post
"This show is 110% … one of the most consistently awesome programs we have come across."
The Sunrise Ocean Bender sets sail every Monday morning, 1 – 3 a.m. on WRIR lp 97.3 FM, to find something for your ears, and something for your head … From psych to prog to pop and whatever tributary we can find on the way … and right back around again. There might be a map, but the destination is up for grabs. If it all goes right, we may just get lost. Meet me at the muster station … it might be a long week.
Brendan Quinn (of Abunai!) and company (Rob McGregor, Mark Bennet, Mike Whitaker, Niall King) make good on 
Sabatta
How can I lose Wisdom Tooth one week, then compete with this:
