It’s hard not to think of noodly late-eighties indie rock when listening to Northern Liberties — but on this particular 7″, the band makes a notable change to the unofficial indie rock credo, completely dropping the guitar from both of these tracks. The result is a rhythm-heavy trio that cross-breeds DC hardcore with Touch & Go faves like GVSB and The Jesus Lizard.
“Easter Island” has a tense start, with strummed bass chords and fiery percussion that eventually give way to a droning rhythm and reverb-drenched vox. Listening to “Easter Island” is like dropping in and out of a cough syrup-induced sleepiness: you may do your best to remain conscious through the hypnotic whirr, but you’ll only be resuscitated for a brief taste of reality when the cavernous howling vocals break across the beats. There’s even a false ending here, full of tinkling percussion that simply isn’t necessary.
Skittish drum beats and a simplistic bass line begin “Chromosomatic”; the four-string alternates between pulsing low-end and trebly chorus-complementing phrases. Vocalist Justin may be on the flat side, but he gives it all he’s got, letting loose a controlled eruption of gasps, shrieks and slurred phrases that command your attention. It’s melodic without ever resorting to rehashed pop ideas. The cryptic lyrics still leave me wondering what the hell the tune’s about, but the music is so intoxicating that you’ll soon be jamming along, regardless of the deeper meaning. The more I listen, the more I like it.
I’m not sure how well an entire rhythm-heavy CD of these sorts of songs would fare, but this brief introduction is intriguing. Sick of guitar? Try Northern Liberties’ take on indie rock and see what this trio can accomplish without the evils of six-string slinging.
— Andrew Magilow