Review: Parts And Labor - Receivers

Posted on 8 November 2008 | No Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, Noise

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I’ve made no secret in the past of just how much I like the incessant racket of Brooklyn noisemakers Parts & Labor. I really like ‘em and am happy now to give you the lowdown on their third full-length album, Receivers. While Parts & Labor still retains the noise element, it seems a little less abrasive here than on Stay Afraid and Mapmaker. Receivers is easily the most accessible thing that the band has released to date, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be hearing any of these songs on the radio anytime soon. (By the way, who even listens to FM radio anymore?)

Founding members Dan Friel and BJ Warshaw rounded up the lineup for Receivers with new drummer Joe Wong and guitarist Sarah Lipstate so it’s no wonder the band’s sound has evolved. Sure, as always, Parts & Labor writes what are essentially indie-power-pop songs and obscures their frenetic melodies with shrieking feedback-laden synths, the glitch-ridden overdriven oscillations of malfunctioning electronics, and walls of distorted guitar. But as bombastic as this music is, there is much more open sonic space than on Parts & Labor’s previous two jungle-dense albums. Don’t worry though, there are still plenty of moments filled with glorious eardrum-shattering ring-modulated cacophony. You can get in on the joyous noise courtesy of Jagjaguwar.

MP3 | Parts & Labor – Nowheres Nigh Receivers