If you think that this is just another slice of predictable rock music, then you really must get your ears checked. For, whilst on the surface there might be lots of familiar, rock-like sonic trinkets to catch your eye, there is more going on below the surface. Much more. Similarly, once “Telepathetic” gets into its stride, as the vocals start pushing themselves and the guitars move into more abrasive realms, it would be easy to throw around labels such as grunge and phrases like college rock and name-check the outsider and the awesome, from Pixies to Dinosaur Jr. But again, that is only half the story.
What I find intriguing about this latest one from bikethrasher (a cool name, by the way) are the coiled and mathy riffs that form a cool and ornate layer above the more straightforward rhythmic attacks. The energy-efficient bass line that adds so much while doing so little. (No offence meant.) The spiralling guitar lines that effortlessly whip up additional energies between the vocal salvos. Yes indeed, it’s a much more complex beast than it might first appear.
It’s rock that has taken on a chameleon sonic form. Sure, it ticks all the boxes for that genre, but also for punk attitude and grunge drive, and even a few more creative ones that are more aligned with indie creativity and pop infectiousness.
When you think that rock music has said and done everything it has to say and do, it is great to come across a band that knows how to have the last word—or perhaps the first word of a whole new creative conversation. Wouldn’t that be something?
