Algiers

Description

Band Members:

Frank J Fischer – Vocals

Ryan Mahan – Bass, Keyboards, Percussion, Programming

Lee Tesche – Guitar, Piano, background vocals

2015

Algiers- *****+

A furious and original band worth hearing in 2015, Atlanta’s Algiers have unequivocally made the greatest debut album of the 2015. Mixing the fury of a hundred post-punk bands of the 1980’s with the holy gospel of the south, a new sound is born that goes beyond mere soul music imitations. Algiers are political in scope for sure, chanting about horror’s of the past (“Blood”, “Black Eunuch”) and present (“Old’ Girl”, “In Parallax). An old fashioned, soul-fused approach singer in Franklin J. Fisher makes a huge difference, especially in the gut-wrenching “Claudette” where he sings about a lost love or in “Games”, where an otherwise traditional spiritual is turned into an impassioned soliloquy.

When talking post-punk styles, noise rock always comes up and it is prominent in the beginning of the albums greatest tune “But She Was Not Flying”, a tune soaked in the buzz of  guitar feedback where the background vocals that seem to come out of machines are as important as the frontman (who wisely refuses to hog the spotlight and shares it with scary ambience). “Old Girl” is also a song about the dangers of modern society sung in the style of Public Enemy’s “She Watch Channel Zero”. Lastly, the backbeat used on songs range from live to often dated and referential, the prime example being “Irony.Utility.Pretext” which sounds like a 21st century version of M.C Hammer’s “2Ligit2Quit”, but you know in a good way!

Their website cracks me up as well, as it is a montage of artists and music and political ideas they love and aspire to be like. Influences as diverse as Nick Cave, Gun Club, Popul Vuh, Boogie Down Productions, Fugazi, TV on the Radio….the list is never ending. The best thing I could say about Algiers is that this album does indeed live up to the promise of their vast influences, and I am glad someone is using the old touchstones correctly. I see a bright future for this band because every song on their debut record is amazing.

Greatest Tracks: But She Was Flying, Old Girl, In Parallax, And When You Fall