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Zack the Rookie and Thumbscrew…

Zack the Rookie - Lonesome No MoreNo offense, but let's face it, in a perfect world, no band would ever name themselves Zack the Rookie, you know what I'm sayin'? Sure, I don't know what meaning the phrase might hold for the band, and hey, what's in a name, right? I know I can be a little too picky about such matters, but I can't help but wonder if that kind of decision might hinder the band's ability to reach the number of listeners that they should. Of course, the rather unattractive CD packaging isn't doing them any favors in that regard either, but that's life I suppose. The good news is that the only real "fault" I'd cite with "Lonesome No More", the band's debut full-length for the increasingly diverse Counterintelligence Recordings, is that it's entirely too long at 16 tracks and 57 minutes. Were they to trim things down to around 10 tracks/40 minutes they'd be set, because I'm pretty into the songwriting with this one.

I know nothing about this band other than the fact that they're from Louisiana, but their brand of somewhat standard contemporary emo with some lightly metallic riffing and a blend of singing/yelling still reminds me quite a bit of the mid- to late-90's leanings of the genre, and that's a good thing. The vocals could probably use a little more work to feel totally comfortable, but I really like the charming quality of the singing's rough spots—to the point where I think the band might be better off without using harsher vocals at all. At their best the cool melodic riffs and catchy harmonies win me over, and there's definitely tons and tons of potential here considering how huge a couple of comparable bands have become in the last several years. I'll be looking forward to hearing where these cats head down the road...

Zack the Rookie "Constellations"
Zack the Rookie "Bright Lights Will Kill"

This one's not officially out until next week, though I think you can buy it from the label right now, so contact them for ordering information if this is something that interests you.

Thumbscrew - All is QuietAll that melody doesn't stick around forever, though. The also somewhat unfortunately named Thumbscrew's debut full-length, "All is Quiet", is another recently issued Counterintelligence Recordings release, and I don't really know anything about this band either—aside from the fact that they're from Texas and play an ultra discordant brand of metalcore that's among the noisiest and most caustic material that I've heard in months. Honestly this album tends to be too chaotic for my usual listening habits and is therefore not the kind of thing that I could listen to on a regular basis, but they do pull it off better than many due to always retaining some sense of control performance-wise, so it doesn't sound like a sloppy mess despite the fact that there are loads of riffs based upon sheer over the top dissonance. I'm also thankful that they only employ a couple of annoying tremolo picking runs throughout, as that kind of thing can take this particular form of music and suck the promise right out of it. While more grating than memorable, I dig the fact that most of the songs are short and explosive, though I can't help but find myself wishing they'd slow things down a little more often, because a couple of the darker midpaced riffs and oddly churning breakdowns herein harness significantly more power than the usual doses of "crazy go nuts" intensity surrounding them. And I must point out that this disc boasts an amazing fucking layout using tons of metallic silver ink and semi transparent vellum pages that really looks impressive as hell.

Thumbscrew "Is That You Duke Raul"
Thumbscrew "Fighting Wonders"

Maybe I'm just getting too old for this tomfoolery, but if your ears can hang with such a dizzying cacophony of harshly executed riffing, support the band and the label with a purchase (the label probably sells it cheaper, so contact them to check on prices):

@ Very Distribution

Comments

  1. Kevin most definitely picks some good bands. Have you checked out the Ten Crowns full length he put out?

    I can’t wait for the Parallax full-length to come out.

    2.6.2006 | By Tyrone

  2. I’m feeling that Thumbscrew, good shit Andrew, I second that Ten Crowns record, good shit!!

    2.6.2006 | By xbenx

  3. i’m feeling the Thumbscrew as well.  that layout is super-tight.  texture and colors- just real classy.

    you won’t find a label more passionate about their bands (and hardcore in general) than this one. 

    btw, i’ve heard the Parallax full-length and it is really fucking good.

    wadebrigade dot org

    2.6.2006 | By chrisuede

  4. I want that full length.

    2.6.2006 | By Tyrone

  5. I remember when I preordered the Thumbscrew record over a year ago…It was delayed for a good two months because of problems with the vellum booklet. Counter wanted it to be prefect because the cd was pretty much a make or break deal for them(the label), being that they spent over $10k when it was all said and done. Also part of the delay might have been due the fact that the dude running the label is(was?) operating out of Japan… So when the band finally got the cd’s in, they felt so bad that we had to wait so damn long, they sent everybody who preordered a free vellum poster, sent via USPS Priority mail(cost the band $3.85 a pop just to send ‘em) no less. Good guys. Here’s a pic of the poster:

    http://i1.tinypic.com/ncz6aa.jpg

    Good cd. Frantic as all hell, but I like it. One of the most pissed-off records I’ve heard in awhile, and they’re a Christian band no less. Go figure.

    Speaking of balls-out Christcore, anybody know where I can find a copy of Kissing The Hands Of Wrath’s cd, “Disassemblement”, put out by Advent Records? I can’t find it anywhere….now I know how you feel Andrew. sigh…

    2.7.2006 | By The Redeemer

  6. Yeah, since Kevin was in Korea, I didn’t get my Bloodties CD for a long-ass time, but it was cool as everythin was taken care of.

    I back Counterintelligence 100%

    2.7.2006 | By Tyrone

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