Saturday, February 2nd 2013

News, Reviews:  Screaming Females

Stream Screaming Females’ New EP, ‘Chalk Tape’

By Taylor Weese

New Jersey punk trio Screaming Females have already returned with their second official release in a year’s time. The band plans to release a collection of recent home recordings through a cassette-only EP called Chalk Tape, a follow up to their 2012 album Ugly that was produced by Steve Albini. Chalk Tape serves as a diverse change for the band, showcasing their dynamic abilities as musicians.

The seven-song effort starts off with a mellow jam in the form of Sick Bed, bass heavy and completely lacking in guitar. If you are familiar with Screaming Females, you might start to think that the band has drifted from their signature sound, but Crushing The Kingdom brings you right back. Lead guitarist and vocalist Marissa Paternoster’s powerful licks come on strong in the fast paced song, topping out at just over a minute.

Chalk Tape continues to take every possible left turn imaginable. The band infuses stoner rock and punk with Wrecking Ball, later challenged by Into The Sun, a bongo led tune that could fall under almost no label. Wedged between those two songs is Poison Arrow, a slow building drone that could easily be mistaken as another band. Who? Who knows, but it’s a surprising sound for the band, yet again. The song was made available for download last week and you can get it right here.

It’s arguable that Screaming Females are not a band for everyone, and this EP likely follows that claim, but there is no denying that the sound is completely original. Chalk Tape may not be the band’s best effort, but it’s spunky and sometimes that’s all you need.

The EP is currently streaming on Pitchfork and will be available for purchase exclusively at the Don Giovanni Records Showcase in Brooklyn on February 9th. Tickets are on sale now.