The robust rock of Philly's False Tracks is what you get when you get a bunch of guys from a bunch of bands to team up. It's like the Justice League of East Coast indie over here on Hymn for Terror, the band's new one. On another level. folks around these parts are likely going to pick this up immediately once they find out that two members of The Ropers (Greg Pavlovcak and Mike Hammel) are on it.
Opener "Suspended Animation" is a hyped run of riffs and New Wave vocals. Think "Yellow Pills" meets early Ride. False Tracks here announce their vibe right from the jump, with "Disappear at Dawn" serving up even sharper angles. For all the frenzy of their attack, there's nuance here. A track like "Bubblegum Runaways" is less manic, and more moody. Those who hear this might detect points of inspiration from Seventeen Seconds-era Cure, for instance. Still, False Tracks sound remarkably confident on Hymn for Terror, enough so that all the music nerds who will gravitate to this will be hit hard with hooks while they're attempting to pinpoint influences on these noted players.
While some of us -- ahem -- likely pulled up to this False Tracks record with hopes of hearing the rush of The Ropers brought into a new century, there's real evolution in style apparent. The superb "Who Will Reveal Their Secrets First" serves up chiming guitars and down-tempo introspection. There's an edge here, even as "Wet Market", for example, churns with abandon, while the sharply-rendered "Dandelion" has a real fervor about it. "Dark Room" traces steps pointed out by The Gordons and Straitjacket Fits in early years, with False Tracks adepts at this sort of thing. What I'm trying to say, I guess, is that Hymn for Terror features jangle-pop players, yeah, but the tunes here punch with a different force. There's a richness in approach that makes these numbers I've highlighted, and all of Hymn for Terror, really, such an exhilirating listen.
Hymn for Terror by False Tracks is out this week from Strange Mono. Details below. All proceeds from sales of the physical copy and digital version will be going to Homies Helping Homies.
False Tracks are playing Quarry House in Silver Spring on February 10 with site faves Dot Dash.
[Photo: False Tracks]