Monday, January 9, 2006 , Updated
J-Stone’s Pick of the Week: Jan. 9, 2006
The Cut* Off are simply intricate in their intricate simplicity. The vocals scream (literally and figuratively) of Bleach era Kurt Cobain meets Ozzie Osbourne, almost sounding as if Kyle (the lead singer) had his vocal chords removed, scraped repeatedly with a razor blade, then re-implanted in his throat. Couple this with blisteringly fast guitar riffs, a more than competent rhythm section, and it’s the makings of an All-American rock band ready to take over the world.
Their track “Adults We Know” off the untitled demo E.P. takes you back 15 or so years to a much dirtier time for music. Everything that made Grunge/Alternative rock great comes out, but fails to sound cheesy or rehashed at all. If the screaming towards the end of the song doesn’t remind you at least a little of Nirvana, then I suggest you stop listening to singles and buy an album for once in your life. With their hats firmly tipped to the past, the next track “The Basement Theory” leaps forward into the 21st century with the sort of danceable drum beats and bass lines that define modern “indie” rock. Everything about the pacing of the lyrics and the speed of the song gets the toes tapping and the heads banging.
To step up their rocking out, The Cut* Off takes a cue out of Jetscreamer’s book with “Hold Me Down” a 70’s guitar rock track with a twinge of country coming from the rhythm guitar and drums. This song almost makes me want to fight someone, “bottle full of bourbon” and all. To not throw up the horns while listening to this song is a sin–or–the opposite of a sin I guess. The boys cool off with their last track “Porcelain” and "cool off" is a very relative statement. This song is defined by its acoustic rhythm guitar and a grander lead guitar whose riffs may not melt faces at first, but by the end of the song you will be picking your eyeballs off the floor.
The Cut* Off is a taste of a trend happening here and there in the underground music scenes; this integration of more progressive rock elements with the “indie pop” staples that have become so boring in the last year and a half. No doubt caused by the success of The Mars Volta, this is the type of music to look out for and The Cut* Off is a prime example of somebody doing it right. This is a band you need to be listening to, whoever you are that hasn’t heard of these guys, WAKE UP! Pay attention! This is what rock n’ roll is supposed to sound like. Go bombard their inboxes with requests to release this CD (they recorded it at Pleasantry Lane and everything).
Now, if they could only get rid of that damned asterisk. I mean, who do they think they are? Radiant*?
Listen to more of J-Stone's picks on The Lonestar State, www.WMUCradio.com, Wednesdays from 11-2pm.
