The force of negativity in music has always been the most compelling, and that's just one reason why Memphis' Angry Angles are a new and volatile band to watch out for in this redundant world of overhyped music. Jay Reatard's angular credentials are too numerous to list, but even if you've heard everything by the Reatards and Lost Sounds, you'll still have a real surprise in store for you with this new project. Joining him is Alix Brown, formerly of Atlanta's ever lovable Lids, and rounding out the male/female delivery that's got such a special charm that's it's almost hard to quantify. Starting their own imprint, Shattered Records in 2004, the two quickly put together the Angry Angles, armed with a range of obtuse lyrics and structures, poisonous hooks from obscure girl groups of the 60s to atypical Wire and Devo covers, it clearly shows the couple's fascination with post-punk's unorthodox songwriting, and a knack for great dual lead vocals. They quickly acquired a metronomical impersonator (alternating between Paul from Die Rotzz and Ryan from Tokyo Electron) and hit the road this past fall. They even took in a quick tour of Europe before their second single had even been released, yet their harmonic allusions foreshadowed great things to come. It didn't take long for everyone to catch on, and soon enough, a slew of symmetrically round records emerged including a tour-only 7" EP on Ken Rock, the Crowds 7" EP on PTrash, and most recently, the Apparent/Transparent 7" EP on Plastic Idol. But don't let yourself think it's overkill, as the songs are getting even stronger, and as Jay's quality control is running at it's peak of ambivalence, the diametrically aligned hits just keep on coming as they are embarking on their second US tour within the year, and getting ready to record their debut LP for In The Red. No time for introspection, this music is acutely desperate and sweetly violent, and if this is the direction the post-Lost Sounds co-conspirator is spearheading, we're all in for a great new set of recordings that break free of the preconceived boundaries of the previous academics he's been associated with. I've said it before and I'll say it for eternity, there is geometry in the humming of the strings, and for that, the world is complete. Check out a few new songs here. And have a look at some video here:
