November 16, 2005 | Posted by mark at 1:09 PM

Together We're Gonna Wait Around to Die

test icicles - for screening purposes onlytest icicles - what's in the box

Test Icicles have made the most relentless album of the year. Honestly. This territory usually belongs to Mae Shi, but somehow three kids from England did it. The riffs don't hit as hard as the Mae Shi's, but these guys scream a little louder. It's clearly a polarizing record. I put it on in my office this morning and most people asked me to turn it off. The reason for that is because it's clearly not an office record. It's kind of a dancefloor record, in a weird sense, but I'd probably have to be wasted. Then I'd love it.

Anyway, this record is ten times better than any "punk" record that's happening right now. It's fast, loud, melodic and smart. There are some songs, this one included, that remind me of NOFX, which is a good thing. When listening to individual songs you might think "what makes this different from any other maximo bloc chiefs out there?" That's a great question. The answer is in the album. This ain't your typical british dance punk record. It's a damn tornado. It takes me back to classic relentless albums, like Bad Religion's "No Control," where the band doesn't let up for five seconds, continually pummeling you with drums and shouting. It's like mae shi with an attention span.

Us folks in America don't get to see these guys, or buy their album yet. I don't even know what the deal will be when it comes time for a US release. I'm sure it will happen, just not sure when. In the meantime, you can buy the Boa Vs. Python EP at amazon. It includes this song, as well as another album standout "all you need is blood." I'll get more album details up here when I can find them. Highly recommended.

Comments

So awsome live too, then they get louder than Mae Shi or Blood Brothers. Check there early demos b4 they got signed for evidence of all out noise with grime breakdowns, you cannot beat em. Not too sure if they have an attention span though...

Posted by: 20jazzfunkgreats at November 16, 2005 5:03 PM

No they definately don't have an attention span. They apparently wanted to break up the band three weeks before the album was even released but Domino talked them out of it. They get bored of their gigs before they've finished them, and according to their recent NME interview (although they claimed it was largely made-up) they're already bored with most of the songs on their album.
They WILL evolve, mature and self-destruct quicker than most people will care to notice. Amazing.

Posted by: chris at November 17, 2005 5:08 AM

They looked like they were about 14 years old when I saw them open for Art Brut at Northsix in Brooklyn. They were amusing, but I expected the music to hit me harder I would be interested in catching them again sometime to see if maybe I just caught them on an off night or something.

Posted by: Heather at November 17, 2005 11:39 AM

Now, I normally listen to hip hop, and steer clear of punk. But I listened to "What's in the Box," and...WOW. Incredibly, it had my head boppin', and I listened to it five times in a row. I fully intend to grab the Boa Vs. Python EP ASAP! You might not have fully converted this hip hop head, but you sure got him looking in that direction.

Posted by: DaMoose at November 21, 2005 1:18 AM
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