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Science Bastard - Pull Tiger Death Cord

Rating

RIYL

For the Mathematics
Munch Munch
Men Without Hats
Foals

Release Date

11/14/2011

Label

Junta Records

Tracklist

01. Pull Tiger Death Cord
02. Phil Collins
03. A Different Same
04. All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace
05. Trevor
06. A Knock Came and I Thought Warning
07. Harmonica
08. Anon (Others to Become Vain)
09. Wolves
10. Exit

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Science Bastard are a handful, splashed all across the sonic map. They call themselves, quite simply, “ALT,” and that’s a serviceable tag, but they’re so much more than that. Noise rock would be more apt, though not completely accurate, as there's more than a few scattered bits of melody lodged between the raucous, staccato bursts that is their punkier side. So let's just forget about trying to name the bizarre dark miasma that is Science Bastard's sound -- if you take away anything from this, it's that when you listen to Pull Tiger Death Cord, you'll be listening to something you haven't heard before.

As good of a place as any to start with Science Bastard is the terrifyingly schizophrenic song "Phil Collins," which is one part jazzy, free-wheeling rock and one part choir of shouting dudes... think Bloc Party meets For the Mathematics.

Follow that up with "A Different Same" and be officially confused. The song opens quietly and cautiously, tenderly, rife with delayed guitar and half-whispered vocals. But when it opens up during the chorus, it opens the hell up. Enter nimble drumming, shouts, and long, soaring vocal melodies. It's a surprisingly straightforward romp. Follow that up with "All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace," possessing its happy, synth-pop verses, and scratch your head all the way down to your skull.

"Trevor" is a mathematical equation of batshit insane verses and warm, rousing choruses. "A Knock Came and I Thought Warning" has more of a math-rock sort of angular opening with a head-bob inspiring chorus. And "Harmonica"? Don't ask me why or how, but it reminds me of Rise Against covering The Rapture -- or maybe the other way around. And then there's "Anon (Other to Become Vain)," which might be the closest this band comes to a sensitive ballad.

If I haven't made it immediately apparent, hands down, Pull Tiger Death Cord is a tough listen, but it's a breath of fresh air with a real bent for experimentation, and I can't fault Science Bastard for that.

--Zach Roth