Album Details

• Artist: The Histrioniks
• Album: Thin
• Label: Cat Erratic
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2008-08-19

No Wave Power Pop? Sludge Surf? Histrioniks buzz their way through many a twisting musical catalouge on their way to sound completely their own. "Thin" is their third release, and there has been a progression from a folk-ish debut to a more trad rock feel to ,now, a sound that is fun but menacing. "Drama Queen" opens up with a dirge-like invocation of the bad girl, then drifts into harmonies so positive and bright you feel slightly jarred. That is the point; Histioniks expect to test themselves, so why not you too?

While you can have fun genre spotting surf in the title track, a 50s shuffle in "My Blue"-the band is not merely throwing a sorts of shit against that wall to see what sticks or to appear cool. They ARE cool precisely because all their moods and colors work. This is inspired, uncomfortable and smart. The guitar/drum duo of Cat and Larry Levy have a confidence and sense of the dramatic that takes most songs to dizzying heights of emotion. "Too Black" and "Dirt Don't Die" are ominous and epic, but never overreaching; the emotional honesty makes them eerie in ways emo or metal could never be. "Thin" is a stunning record full of ideas and soul. Fans of jagged guitar and urban blues need dig in ASAP.

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