Austin, Texas-based Alternative Indie Rock unit Bantom Woods is finally releasing the band’s long awaited debut studio album, “Bend”, via the UK label Shifting Sounds, which WL//WH is very pleased to premiere.
Although relatively new, the five-piece comprises experienced stalwarts from the Austin Music Scene, with all members, namely John Hunt (guitar, vocals), Mark McMillan (bass guitar), Jeff Black (guitar, piano), Hector Lanza (guitar), and Andy Thompson (drums), playing in multiple groups spanning over two decades.
The band churn out a finely crafted patchwork of diverse styles defined by ringing, fuzzy, heavily distorted guitars, a tight driving rhythm section, and an emotionally-ridden, slightly hoarse vocal delivery, to create mainly mid-tempo hook-driven songs, replete with struggle and longing, that blur the lines between alternative rock, shoegaze, post-punk, and college rock, at times smothered in dreampop textures and stirring Americana flavors.
Suitable for fans of The Replacements, Sonic Youth, Sugar, Ride, Swervedriver, The Hold Steady, Superdrag and the like.
Bantom Woods have a deft handle on a seamlessly intricate and mesmerising interplay of swirling, sparkling guitar twangs and gritty, vibrant riffs, rich with sharp, sonorous yet absolutely catchy tones.
“Bend” kicks things off with the reeling, blazing scorch of the sanguine “Sitting Around”, a song stretching with trembling edges and Sugar-esque punk inflections, paving the path forward to the contorted and high-pitched, angular Television-like gloom of “Riveting Stuff”, and the piano-lilted sentimental heartache of “Lotteries & Lightning Strikes”, inspired by the Archers of Loaf reunion and The Grifters, a single we featured last year.
Follow the wailing, rocking frustration of “Sore Eyes”, to bop down to a nostalgia trip of 90s college rock flair with the melodious, brisk and jangly letdown of “Cats”, and amp things up with the simultaneously raspy and strained tinkling up and down of the embittered “Bail Polish”. In between, the reverberating and wiry Shoegaze anger of “Modern Drummer” sets a gripping moody feel, to end with the hopeless and aching spiraling pointy vibes from the electrifying ‘pop wise’ rock’n’roll rides of “Prairie Dog” and “Oppland”.
Bantom Woods‘ debut album exudes authenticity and passion with every note in such a heartfelt and rousing way that only five kindred rock’n’roll spirit friends could put into action, for the utter pleasure of us listeners.
Bantom Woods‘ debut album, “Bend,” is out today, June 26th, on Classic Black Vinyl 12″ & Digital, via Shifting Sounds.
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