Les Savy Fav - Root For Ruin
This American band are pretty consistent on record but it is nothing compared to their riotous live shows. This is their fifth studio album, from 2010.
The opener, Appetites, is spiky, energetic art punk, kinda Public Image meets Sparta. Tim Harrington's vocals sound more robotic than usual, giving him a John Lydon or Jello Biafra edge. Consequently, quite a lot of the album has more of a PiL or Dead Kennedys feel than usual. Sparta are another frequent reference point on this album.
Sleepless In Silver Lake has a more traditional LSF sound with its persistent, throbbing bass providing the backbone to moderately paced American post-punk. It does, however, sound rather lethargic. Let's Get Out Of Here is uptempo, anthemic and much more like it.
After a number of albums where they have developed a signature sound, it's the tracks which offer something different which are the most interesting, such as Lips N' Stuff's more melodic sound or Poltergeist's glacial, Joy Division feel. The excellent High And Unhinged is discordant and playful, with a great chorus. Dear Crutches is a college rock heartbreaker with a They Might Be Giants meets The Cure feel.
Overall, this isn't Les Savy Fav's best album but it is still a good, solid release.
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