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DIE KRUEZEN, Century Days-Think you're
on the cutting edge? Try this monster on for size! The best example
of how far a band can progress from thrashcore roots, Milwaukee's Die Kreuzen
creates a sonic black hole that obliterates everything in its path. This
band seems to approach songwriting from a different angle than just about
anyone; the song structures are off-center, so just when they seem to follow
a logical progression your thrown off-base. They combine complex, asymmetrical
rhythms, screeching fractured shards of effect-laden rock guitar that fly
like breaking glass, and Dan Kubinski's primal scream vocals-he sounds
like he's being continually castrated. At the surface, it often sounds
like a chaotic whirlwind; but dig deeper and you'll find complex musicianship
(play "Number Three" to you local guitar mofo and see what he says). It's
not an easy record, but if you want a taste of the way metal will sound
in 1998, look no further. Picks: "Earthquakes, ""Elizabeth,""Bitch Magnet,"
and especially the otherworldly ballad "Number Three."
DIE KREUZEN, Century Days-The closer
Die Kreuzen moves to the mainstream (and they're still pretty far out there),
the more innovative and intriguing their music becomes. This, their third
and best LP, is a constantly surprising outing that melds postpunk mewlings
and softer, semi-acoustic into a whole without pretension or scattershot
eclecticism. The unique collage that graces the cover (and also makes the
band name and title hard to read) warns casual listeners not to expect
the same old stuff, that nothing will be clear cut. The way they shift
various elements of rock formula into new configurations creates songs
that sound comfortingly familiar, but also a little bit disorienting. "Earthquakes,"
for instance, might sound like the usual guitar-raucous indie raveup until
you notice the weird bass parts or the over-the-top-vocals. When the band
follows that with the quieter, quasi-love song "Lean Into It," you realize
there's not much these guys couldn't pull off. Moody and angry, catchy
and oblique, Century Days will prove to be one of the year's best
releases.
Why these guys aren't superstars
yet I don't know. Probably too much integrity. But maybe they're caving
in now: from the glossy gatefold sleeve to the glossy (and imaginative)
production, everything about this LP screams for mass acceptance. Few bands
deserve it as much.
Century Days contains work
of real anthemic power. The songs are more mid-tempo than expected, but
with plenty of hooks. The lyrics go for an impressionistic mood, and while
he ain't exactly Van Morrison, Dan Kubinski imbues each track with enough
urgency and matter-of-factness to satisfy us "meaning" freaks. Personal
favorites: the pop of "Lean Into It," "Elizabeth," the slow groove (with
horns?) of "Different Ways" and "These Days" (nope, an original). Altogether,
this album is quite an achievement. Maybe soon they'll get the MTV hit
they richly deserve. In the meantime, file between Descendents and Nick
Drake.
Century Days combines
the intensity and moodiness of their first two LPs with a feeling of Tyler
and Perry shaking hands and trading secrets with Cave and Eldritch in some
Wisconsin bar. Always form-consious, Die Kreuzen lighten up and actually
bring a smile to a listener's face with the uplifting and sweet "Elizabeth,"
then counter the mood with the Foetus-like "Stomp," a psychotic carnival
romp. Danny Kubinski's high-pitched, screeching vocals are more expressive
and varied, arriving as an actual melody. These boys rarely make it to
vinyl, but when they do, it's a sweet, Halloween-like treat.
Long-awaited third lp from Milwaukee's
finest proves more than worth the wait. More "college radio" sounding,
yet still brilliant.
Like Jane's Addiction, Die Kreuzen
is a band that does whatever it wants. Century Days is a journey
across the musical spectrum tripping through the anthemic, pop, punk, dirge
and rock genres with a nonchalance acquired during Die Kreuzen's seven
years together.
Hopefully, this LP will garner the
respect that is given to bands like Sonic Youth, fIREHOSE, et al.
Whether or not this happens, Die
Kreuzen has put together an outstanding album which, to my ears at least,
is easily one of the best albums Touch and Go (or any label) has issued
in the past few years.
Well, first up those marvelous chappies at Chicago-based Touch And Go Records have layed some serious sounds on us in the form of Die Kreuzen's (pronounced 'Dee Kroytzen') third LP, 'Century Days'. Whilst in certain circles Hardcore appears to have become the very sacred cow it set out to destroy, this bunch whip out their bowies, cut the genre to pieces an' then stick it all back together again. A melange of Husker Du, Aerosmith ant the Replacements, DK are not for the narrow-minded!