 For Against
"Shade Side, Sunny Side" CD
Words on Music
Genre: post-punk, indie rock
Lincoln, Nebraska
Jan 19, 2009 |
For Against have long been the ultimate music snob band, one of those
names every would-be critic bandies around but few have actually gone to the trouble
of investigating. Their first two albums are respected but
rarely-heard post-punk classics, iconic exemplars of the Factory
Records sound despite coming out of Lincoln, Nebraska. Both were
reissued by Minneapolis' Words on Music label in the past few years,
allowing a new generation of post-punk enthusiasts and indie nerds to
sample a taste of why For Against's reputation precedes them.
Shade
Side, Sunny Side, meanwhile, is an all new offering
from the lovable
Nebraskans, the first since 2002's Coalesced. The result
of those six years is a record
still clearly obsessed with the Factory post-punk sound, but adorned
with a more polished, atmospheric slickness.
The first thing you're likely to notice about Shade Side, Sunny
Side is simply that it sounds awesome.
For Against is a welcome
reprieve from the loads of bands that have made their way to my ears
over the past few years. Right from the charging, icy post-punk of
"Glamour" (think Unknown Pleasures but
more lush) it is clear that this
is going to be a melodic yet serious work of music. However, despite its
dark post-punk leanings, this album is also a lot more pop-focused
than For Against's earlier releases. "Underestimate" is a melodic gem,
replete with an anthemic chorus and a breakthrough bridge. Meanwhile,
"Game Over" is a heartbreakingly pretty piano-based ballad – a change
from what I'm used to
from the band, but a welcome addition to this
album. Also noteworthy are sentimental "Irresistible" and dream-popper
"Spirit Lake." Only a few tracks, meanwhile, stick to the band's
trademark cold post-punk formula; "Aftertaste," "Quiet Please," and a
cover of Section 25's "Friendly Fires" are the most obvious examples.
Few eighties post-punk acts have retained their relevance for this
long, but Shade Side, Sunny Side is a spectacular record that stands
up perfectly well next to For Against's early classics. A late entry
for 2008's best-of list, this is a terrific piece of music that
deserves to be owned by every serious music listener.
for
against's myspace
90%
youuuuuuuutube!:
classic "echelons" video
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 9 tracks, distributed by
the
label,
released 2008] |
