Narc Out the Reds

....Are on the Run (2010)

Brian Shultz

Narc Out the Reds ….Are on the Run. Despite the sarcastic smear on anti-communism (or something), the band actually do kind of a punky take on '90s alt-rock. Kinda? Maybe combine Mudhoney, the Lemonheads and the production tone of Foo Fighters' self-titled record, some sneered grit, and a really, really loose approach to structure.

The songs essentially bear slightly grungy, occasionally heavier parts as each proceeds, and despite the band's possible influences they seem to largely abandon verse/chorus structure, with a handful of unpredictable stop-starts along the way. The guitars are dynamic, and rock well. Raspy, smeared vocals drag emphatically across the pauses (some with a plucked acoustic) "One Dolor Embrace", which sounds like a potential B-side from Rival Schools' United by Fate. Granted, at 4:55, it feels a little overlong, but the band does do a lot of different things within the time frame.

Speaking of '90s alt-rock, their singer almost develops a lighter, Robin Wilson-ish quality to later tracks like "I Was Evil That Year" and "Trebledust". But the band do away with any sort of wistfulness, instead choosing a noisier pop slant to otherwise riffy rock fare.

The melodies could be better and more memorable, but overall, not a bad EP, as it takes an almost reckless approach to an older, familiar style, mixing it all up well.

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….Are on the Run EP