An Object

Punk deconstructors No Age are back with an album that explores the nitty-gritty of putting music together. These songs sound gritty and detailed and pensive and muddy (drums are often buried in the mix), as though intentionally left in a not-quite-finished state. This may frustrate some people, but the richness of the album comes from the feeling that, rather than simply experiencing a polished final product, you’re getting to pop open the hood and glimpse the creative process underneath. Favorites: 2, 3, 5, 10. FCC WARNING: 7.

1. (2:32)—Fast. Ringing guitars, then a blast of punk guitars. Very minimal drum presence.
2. *(3:18)—Medium-fast. Has an almost surfy feel. Picks up intensity slowly, but never explodes. Really catchy chorus.
3. *(3:14)—Fast. Drone serves as intro to straight-ahead punk. Dissonant, heavily processed guitars. Killer snare sound.
4. (3:05)—Fast. Aggressive and driving but repetitive and a bit muted, as though this is the extended intro to something more explosive.
5. *(2:31)—Medium-fast. Calm, pretty, propulsive. Gorgeous cello passage pops up near the end.
6. (2:06)—Fast and chaotic and bouncy. Blown-out drums dominate the mix.
7. (3:04)—FCC WARNING (b******t). Medium-slow. Bleary, droney. The lyrical repetition gives the song a circular feel.
8. (0:57)—Misty drones, piano. Heavily reverbed, multi-tracked vocals.
9. (2:20)—Medium-fast. Noisy, repetitive punk.
10. *(2:36)—Medium-slow. Drumless. Meditative. Mix of soft and harsh sounds. Starts like a bedroom demo and takes a turn for the vivid.
11. (4:04)—Drones and vocals. Builds and becomes a massive wash of guitars.