The self-titled debut album of A Place to Bury Strangers and my favourite album is being reissued on Rocket Girl with five extra tracks.

A Place to Bury Strangers are New York-based, and are so they claim the loudest band in that city. They are Oliver Ackermann, J Space and Jono Mofo, and, based in Brooklyn, were previously called Skywave.

'A Place to Bury Strangers', which was recorded between 2003 and 2007, opens with 'Missing You' which runs at 100 miles an hour. It has waves of guitar feedback, fuzzy bass and rhythmic drums, and a vocal that from Oliver that sounds like the young Jim Reid in the early Jesus and Mary Chain or Jason Pierce in Spacemen 3.

'Don't Think Lover' has more 'Psychocandy' feedback, before it develops the same sort of vibe as My Bloody Valentine during their Creation era. Oliver's vocal here is more audible, and it has for much of it a 1990's indie sound, before returning towards the end to walls of feedback. As it moves towards its finish it sounds a little like the Raveonettes.

'To Fix the Gash in Your Head' again sounds like the Jesus and Mary Chain.'The Falling Sun', while losing none of the previous tracks' loudness is, however, much slower, recalling Slowdive and Chapterhouse.

'Another Step Away' features another haunting Reid-style vocal from Oliver and has a slow build up before becoming furious and fiery. 'Breathe' is more furious still, recalling a moody Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and featuring a slow slurred vocal.

'I Know I'll See You' is completely different, recalling the Cure during their 'Faith' or 'Pornography' era. 'She Dies' is again reminiscent of the Cure, but this time more in the vein of '100 Years'. Oliver's vocal has the same doominess as Ian Curtis from Joy Division and there are layers of Slowdive-type guitars.

'My Weakness' finds A Place to Bury Strangers returning to their rock sound. It has a Black Rebel Motorcycle Club rolling feel but also again the essence of the Jesus and Mary Chain.

'Ocean' ended the original album. It is much more Gothic in sound and is absolutely compelling. The guitar chimes away in the doomy way that the Cure have nailed so well. As it moves to its finish it becomes even louder and more furious before fading to a close.

'Never Going Down', the first of the new album, is very raw and rough, with A Place to Bury Strangers sounding on it like the bastard sons of the Stooges during their 'Raw Power' era.

'Get On' recalls a softer Jesus and Mary Chain, but still has a solid wall of feedback and beefy bass. 'Run Around' is again reminiscent of the Jesus and Mary Chain, this time during their 'Psychocandy' era and is full of throbbing effects, loud and totally blissful.

'Half Awake', while still very dark in tine, has a cinematic post rock sound. 'Sunbeam' ends the album, and is quite slo core, bringing the new version of the album to an elegant and subtle close.

A brilliant album.


Track Listing