A Frames - 2 (S-S, 2003)

A Frames
2
S-S
2003

Rating: 7.5 post-punk robots out of 10

The Pacific Northwest has quietly become one of my favorite places for new music in the United States, thanks mostly to Dirtnap Records (The Exploding Hearts, The Epoxies) and all things A Frames. Their backbone of their music is very simple, yet so few bands are able to replicate it – drums, bass, guitar and monotone vocals, a sound that’s not unlike a blend of old Warsaw/Joy Division, Gang of Four and Kraftwerk. Of course their songs are all about shit like robots and science experiments and whatnot, and why wouldn't it be. Some might call this ‘art-punk’ and ‘angular’ and sure it’s all of those things, but mostly it’s just really damn good. Their sound instantly transports you back to the late 70’s/early 80’s but manages to do it without sounding rehashed or corny. They make you realize that a fancy sandwich isn’t always necessary, when a simple peanut butter and jelly will do the trick nearly every time.