With their second release,
La Mia Vita Violenta
,
Blonde Redhead
maintain their organically low-fi aesthetic and continue to prove themselves as one of indie rock's real triumphs. Even after the departure of guitarist
Maki Takahashi
, they still make more noise with three people than most bands could make with ten. Guitars tear into the songs -- pointed, direct, and tough -- while the vocals of
Kazu Makino
and
Amedeo Pace
weave tightly into drummer
Simone Pace
's impeccably precise backing. Timing is everything, and
certainly have it. They're dirty when they need to be and crystal-clear when the situation calls for it. Never angry, the trio plays hard and fast to the point where the instruments seem to play themselves with the deftest of precision. The production is so skillful that even with the most Spartan of recording gear, guitars end up sounding synthetic, in that painting-looks-like-a-photograph kind of way. And the volatile changes -- from sweet acoustic strums to drilling power chords -- make this album a whirl of unexpected surprises.
is math rock without the nerdiness and art rock without the pretentiousness. ~ Ken Taylor