Hot Snakes - Jericho Sirens (Album Review)

 

Hot Snakes - Jericho Sirens

(2018)


My copy: 2018 press on clear vinyl by Sub Pop.


Rick Froberg and John Reis formed Hot Snakes in the wake of Drive Like Jehu, continuing their affinity for rapid-fire post-hardcore insanity. Hot Snakes reconvened in 2011 after disbanding around 2005, and in 2018 delivered another round of densely produced high-octane tracks that weigh in at just around 30 minutes. 

“I Need A Doctor” is a perfect entry, no time is wasted before Froberg’s iconic and ever irritated vocal cries ring out accompanied by pounding drums and some of the best sounding bass recorded in this genre. Unlike Jehu, Hot Snakes are more tempered as songwriters, trading sloppy sliding riffs for precision chord changes at high speeds. While Hot Snakes loses some personality in order to write more traditional hooks and catchy choruses, they gain a perfect production style that amazingly captures the density of the low-end. 

“Candid Cameras” contains harsh, dissonant guitars that ping pong rhythmically while the furious tremolo and unhinged vocals of “Why Don’t It Sink In” threaten to unravel the entire album. The tempo eases up on “Six Wave Hold Down” in which Froberg sings more than he shouts. “Jericho Sirens” swings and bounces with a bright chorus that is just anemic enough to keep it from feeling corny.

“Death Camp Fantasy” is fast with twisting chord changes and adds a group chant that feels like a modern pirate shanty. “Having Another?” is the highlight of the record with a sharp,  mangled riff and brutal, uncompromised heaviness that crashes like a bulldozer through traffic; they are most similar to their noise-rock roots here. The tremolo on “Death Doula” grows into a tornado of fury that is aided by powerful bass. 

Fatigue sets in slightly on the classic-rock worship of “Psychoactive” but the harmonica and subtle electronics on the bridge of “Death Of A Sportsman” manages to hold interest just until the end. Hot Snakes are masters of not overstaying their welcome; they can write songs with laser accuracy that end just before things get stale, and the same can be said about Jericho Sirens as a whole.

Jericho Sirens is the sound of youthful anger that has been refined by professionalism and true musicianship: if you are craving something totally unhinged, you’ll want to stick to Jehu. If you value tightly written post-hardcore with pop undertones and stellar production, check out Hot Snakes. 

This record is still available for cheap via Sub Pop.


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