On a recent episode of some action-drama that was keeping me from doing anything mentally worthwhile, there was a moment or two focused on a discussion of Jazz music. The main character quoted Miles Davis, something like ’Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.’ For some reason (well, actually quite a few reasons), this particular quote reminded me of the newest release from Nitkowski, the noisy-as-fuck London ‘art rock’ group with attitude and chops. ‘Stay in the Home You Love’, out on 14 November (according to RDIO anyway), is a cacophonous and often abrasive full-length work of sonic mind bend.
The reason I likened this Nitkowski to Miles (or to improvised freestyle Jazz) and recalled that quote, is that just when I think I know where the song is going, it isn’t going there at all, and is taking an unseen bend or twist, changing tempo, rhythm and everything else following a seemingly chaotic, incomplete roadmap. But really, these songs go exactly where and how the Nitkowski guys want them to, and like it or not, you are along for the ride.
My only (sort of) criticism of ‘Stay…’ is that it’s not my usual cruise and peruse Work Day music. You know the kind: gets in a groove, is predictable and is on mostly for background and becomes almost ignorable in a good way. This album requires some processing and once or twice I had to turn it off in favor of something less complex, since I feared it would start to sound like noise and cause me distraction. When you can dedicate an hour to it, I think the savvy listener will agree that it’s damn good but not for the faint of heart!
One really interesting thing, right off, is that the vocals are mostly wailed or screamed in angsty, throat-tearing ways, and are treated, it would seem, as just another instrument in the soundscape, and not the focus at all. The volume on the vocal mic seems to have been left down very low on purpose, giving the singer a locked-in-the-dungeon-being-tortured, distant feel.
The often discordant, darting opener ‘Crisp Crisp Sheets and Bright Bright Sunshine’, with its happy title, is nearly six minutes of time changes and minor-tuned guitar layered on complex, almost confusing, drum virtuosity. This tune shifts from minimal to full onslaught and back more times than I have counted, and upon first listen (I am on 7 or 8 complete listens now), I really sat up and took notice. From meandering and almost silent, to frenetic and frantic, this song has it all.
Another highlight for me is the fourth track, ’The Prime of RV Life’, which reminds me of my fellow San Diegans, Drive Like Jehu. It’s mostly instrumental, only punctuated, or more appropriately, ruptured by vocals at more than halfway through. It’s a quick, strummy, rolling ride, culminating in a full stop time change and a growl. Like the rest of this album, it’s both visceral and emotional yet precise. Hey, that sounds like the definition of Math Rock!
To encapsulate this album for the new listener, expect the unexpected. Just when you might think that you have the groove and a sense of where Nitkowski are going, they are going to change it up and take it somewhere else. This is definitely not music for mainstream masses, and in many ways I find that a complete shame; it mainly means that I am not likely to be able to see Nitkowski live here in SoCal anytime soon. On the other hand, it is not often you get pure, interesting music like this, with brow-creasing ferocity and intensity. I am glad to know that there are bands like this out there, every time I hear about another one! Definitely do give Nitkowski’s ‘Stay in the Home You Love’ at least a few listens; you will find it stimulating at the very least, I promise!
Released November 14 2011 on Function Records
Echo Rating (((????)))
Posted by Jake Gillen
