Bronto Skylift - The White Crow (Bronto Skylift)

My, how Scotland thunders.

Initially, this debut full-length by Scottish duo Bronto Skylift was a bit perplexing. Sure it has all the hallmarks of a ’90s-ish noise rock classic, but for the most part, it reminded me of an unlikely combination of Karp and post-In on the Killtaker Fugazi. As the CD progressed though, Karp, or maybe Jarred Warren‘s newer band Big Business, emerged as the more blatant comparison.

The fact is, Niall Strachan‘s vocals sound a lot like Jarred, and his guitar is somewhere between Chris Smith and Ian MacKaye. When paired with Iain Stewart‘s Thor-ish drumming, it’s that Karp-like ecstasy all over again. Far from being a simple clone band, though, BS keep things exciting with captivating, unpredictable songwriting, particularly in “Wolf,” which stops and starts all over the place. “Cobblepot” is another odd one – Fugazi-ish in the beginning and end, but sort of italo disco in the midde. “Danny Glover Isn’t Dead” seems almost like a Fugazi spoof, and the closing “Transgenderbenderrender” could pass for a later Fugazi instrumental. The remainder, however, is pure Karp, i.e., irreverent lyrics, e.g., “Burt Bacharacnid,” “Gameboy” and “Eagle/Falcon,” adrenalized syncopation and that unique catchiness that keeps you coming back for more.

I imagine this album would be a perfect complement to a bottle of fine single malt Scotch.

Me likey.