Tweet

Album Details

• Artist: The Chromatics
• Album: Plaster Hounds
• Label: GSL
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-05-05

While the Chromatics have a short history, it has been quite tumultuous as well. After forming in 2002 the group released their debut Chrome Rats vs. Basement Rulz and proceeded to implode. Vocalist and band founder Adam Miller was left all alone while the rest of the band left to form a similar band. Miller recruited Nat Saulstrom and Ron Avila to flesh out the Chromatics once again and prepared for the release of Plaster Hounds. Their sound is muddy but remains quite accessible otherwise. While Chromatics has always been about Miller, there are times when the other band members shine. One of my favorite tracks on here is simply title "Jesus", kind of a slow lumbering song but has really cool drum breaks in the middle of the track. While you might throw The Chromatics into the burgeoning garage rock category you might also call them post-punk. Adam's voice is so distorted that you can barely make out a word the guy says. But the other members realize this and create a very cool backing for his vocal style. This sort of theory also works for bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I struggled with Plaster Hounds at first but once you get a good idea what The Chromatics sound is like you start to appreciate what they have to offer. It's intelligent and based heavily on rhythm.

User Reviews and Comments

Log In or Register to Rate Albums