ANT ZINE | Record Review


Girls Against Boys
You Can't Fight What You Can't See
Jade Tree Records

Much of the backlash Girls Against Boys received following their major label debut Freak*on*ica was as blistering and searing as their bass-heavy rock sound. However, I liked that record; it flew out the speakers like a bullet and got your ass moving. While it did trade in their trademark rumbling, abrasive features for an electronic-kissed sheen, it still sounded 93% better than any other hard rock band at the time. Turns out, though, that even GVSB themselves pretty much disowned it, chalking up its glossy Garbage-on-steroids romp to the overarching influence of Geffen (its label) and the producer they were hooked up with.

After a couple years spent untangling themselves from Geffen, the stylish boys of GVSB are back on an indie label (the increasingly eclectic Jade Tree), back with a record that should satisfy those alienated by Freak*on*ica. You Can’t Fight What You Can’t See is a lethal 70/30 combination of classic GVSB and the electro-pop stylings that rubbed off on them while schlepping it with the major label ilk. Instead of dominating the songs like on Freak*on*ica, the pop sensibility plays a far lesser (but important) roll: heard in a chorus here, informing the guitar parts there, while the low-slung throb of their pre-Freak days is, once again, large and in charge.

Sounding rejuvenated and energetic, GVSB kick starts their sixth record with Scott McCloud’s trademark raspy "oh, oh" and a thumping rhythm section on "Basstation." "All The Rage" burns with a compelling riff and explodes into a huge chorus. Spun with McCloud’s fractured, catch-phrase non-sequiturs — that still sound like they’re inspired by billboards and neon-lit Times Square advertisements (that’s a compliment!) — this one-two punch lets you know that GVSB is back, so step out of the way motherfucker.

The mid-section of the record hits just as hard, with the mix of dual bass (Johnny Temple and Eli Janney), keyboards (Janney), kinetic drumming (Alexis Fleisig) and low-end guitar (McCloud) swirling, groping, and pummeling equally as McCloud’s voice shifts from sinister to breathy seduction. In a fair world, "Kicking the Lights" would rock the kids from coast to coast with its loopy bass and guitar lines, hip phrases ("Do it ‘til your heart hurts") and anthemic chorus. Instead, hard rock bands with half the chops or innovation rule people’s ears. Sad. The record cools nicely at the end with the delicate "Let It Breathe," which should be a perfect reprieve during their live shows; a time when the crowd – and the band – can calm it down, wipe the sweat from their eyes, slow the adrenaline rush, and take a breath.

If you’ve written GVSB off after Freak*on*ica, you might want to give them another try. They went through the major label grinder, but they’ve survived — they won the fight— and judging by the wicked sounds of You Can't Fight What You Can’t See, they are the better for it.

-Doug Sell

Review at ANT ZINE