OKComputer1016
09/04/08, 12:50 PM
Static Thought – The Motive for Movement
Record Label: Hellcat Records
Release Date: September 9, 2008
In general, you can trust Hellcat Records to deliver the goods. Just by seeing their logo on the back of this album – the cat arching its back, probably about to go destroy something…or… something – I knew The Motive for Movement wasn’t going to sound like every other punk album floating around out there right now. Instead, Static Thought pull from a number of older punk influences, all aggressive and all in your face, and none of them Warped Tour accessible.
These guys keep the spirit of punk alive by avoiding the footholds that are killing the genre right now, such as any variant of cheese including but not limited to mascara, girlfriend odes, and breakdowns. Sure, there are gang vocals in the closer “Conquest of Saints”, but they won’t annoy you; they’re more like the reclaiming of an 80’s punk staple than a modern cliche. Basically, unlike a whole bunch of modern hardcore bands, Static Thought can keep their shit flowing without ever sounding forced.
The obnoxiousness of the vocals puking over the top of the mix recall the first wave of hardcore, when Black Flag was a powerful and threatening new force in Southern California. As Static Thought call San Francisco home, it’s not a stretch to imagine these guys growing up on a steady diet of Agnostic Front; even slightly more modern bands like Rancid have made a huge impact on their sound.
With these types of fist pumping three chord anarcho-groups, a lot of times you find albums where every single song sounds exactly the same (Kill Your Idols made some of those, and so did every street punk band you’ve ever heard of.) Somehow, Static Thought stay fresh from start to finish, and the album is just as exciting in closing as it is at the start.
“Splinters and Stones” even taps into grunge with chorused guitar arpeggios that lead straight into the signature, furious Static Thought smash. “Suburban Life” revisits themes from the Descendents (and feelings we all are familiar with). Musically, the intro is reminiscent of the Hives, all clashing guitars - a more pissed off version of the Hives, anyway. Plus, it ends with the words “Fuck You”, which has got to be the coolest way you can end anything*.
No, Static Thought aren’t insanely innovative – it’s not really possible to be insanely innovative in such a limiting genre – but they do what they do very well. It shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s heard last year’s In the Trenches to hear me say that The Motive for Movement is an excellent album. No complaints to be found anywhere.
*Fuck you.
Recommended If You Like:
Fucked Up, Jay Reatard, Rancid
Don’t Believe Me?
www.myspace.com/staticthought
Record Label: Hellcat Records
Release Date: September 9, 2008
In general, you can trust Hellcat Records to deliver the goods. Just by seeing their logo on the back of this album – the cat arching its back, probably about to go destroy something…or… something – I knew The Motive for Movement wasn’t going to sound like every other punk album floating around out there right now. Instead, Static Thought pull from a number of older punk influences, all aggressive and all in your face, and none of them Warped Tour accessible.
These guys keep the spirit of punk alive by avoiding the footholds that are killing the genre right now, such as any variant of cheese including but not limited to mascara, girlfriend odes, and breakdowns. Sure, there are gang vocals in the closer “Conquest of Saints”, but they won’t annoy you; they’re more like the reclaiming of an 80’s punk staple than a modern cliche. Basically, unlike a whole bunch of modern hardcore bands, Static Thought can keep their shit flowing without ever sounding forced.
The obnoxiousness of the vocals puking over the top of the mix recall the first wave of hardcore, when Black Flag was a powerful and threatening new force in Southern California. As Static Thought call San Francisco home, it’s not a stretch to imagine these guys growing up on a steady diet of Agnostic Front; even slightly more modern bands like Rancid have made a huge impact on their sound.
With these types of fist pumping three chord anarcho-groups, a lot of times you find albums where every single song sounds exactly the same (Kill Your Idols made some of those, and so did every street punk band you’ve ever heard of.) Somehow, Static Thought stay fresh from start to finish, and the album is just as exciting in closing as it is at the start.
“Splinters and Stones” even taps into grunge with chorused guitar arpeggios that lead straight into the signature, furious Static Thought smash. “Suburban Life” revisits themes from the Descendents (and feelings we all are familiar with). Musically, the intro is reminiscent of the Hives, all clashing guitars - a more pissed off version of the Hives, anyway. Plus, it ends with the words “Fuck You”, which has got to be the coolest way you can end anything*.
No, Static Thought aren’t insanely innovative – it’s not really possible to be insanely innovative in such a limiting genre – but they do what they do very well. It shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s heard last year’s In the Trenches to hear me say that The Motive for Movement is an excellent album. No complaints to be found anywhere.
*Fuck you.
Recommended If You Like:
Fucked Up, Jay Reatard, Rancid
Don’t Believe Me?
www.myspace.com/staticthought