Calling All Monsters
The Traps That Work Best
( Turn Records ) 2006

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Calling All Monsters' Matthew Troy (formerly of Bay Area heroes Track Star) hasn't hung up his jangly guitar feedback and fuzzy basslines for the comfy, respectable rocking chair of folk or Americana. Instead, Troy's new band Calling All Monsters stays true to the mini-explosions and lo fi heroics of the sorta-classic American indie scene on their debut The Traps That Work Best.

Opener "We Are Special Forces" is a growling, rumbling anthem befitting of Icky Mettle-era Archers of Loaf. "Conventions of Wizards" sounds like the crunchy soundtrack to an awesome skateboard video while "The Station Agent" holds true to the underground ethos of suburban exile with the opening lyric "...move out from this town/this town has taken most of your life" and a bouncy, treble-ridden bassline. Tracks like "Western Style Town" and "Saturday Afternoon" beg to be blared through a crappy car stereo on a road trip across the boring town you grew up in - preferably on cassette. Closer "Sometimes I Wish You Weren't Dead" whips itself into a frenzy with hoarse yelps and immaculate power chords, mixing some melodic piano with jagged outbursts of lead guitar. The Traps That Work Best is a really fun, Matador circa 1995-ish guitar rock record that's free of any fashionable pretense and chock full of stomp pedal enthusiasm. There are no ballads, experimental instrumental forays or ironic, desperate-for-attention covers, just 11 tracks of head bouncing, aggressive noise pop.

Rooney :: (01.06.06)