Justin R. Cruz Gallego, AKA J.R.C.G., makes his debut for Sub Pop with Grim Iconic...(Sadistic Mantra). It's a concise album, but one which manages to cram about a thousand ideas into its running time. It's expansive and ambitious, enough that it seems like a longer record.
"Grim Iconic" and "34" burst out of the speakers with flashes of noise, snatches of tropicalia, and a hint of techno. Lots of this reminded me of Colourbox and M|A|R|R|S, even as the grimy "Dogear" steered further into the same lane worked over by early Nine Inch Nails. Elsewhere, "Drummy" churns with bad vibes, and works up a fervor like that "Kill All Hippies" stuff from Primal Scream. J.R.C.G. even adds in a hint of psychedelia with "Party People (Heaven)", a song closer to The Chemical Brothers than he might care to admit.
Most of this J.R.C.G. record is inventive enough as to warrant your attention. The ideas are plentiful, and things move with enough flare and sass as to give a listener a surprising and rewarding experience. This isn't a release that has melodic hooks, though it's got a few memorable riffs and beats in it.
Grim Iconic...(Sadistic Mantra) by J.R.C.G. is out this week on Sub Pop.
[Photo: Anthony Beachemin]