Me Versus the Monster

The Resurrectionist (2005)

Jordan Rogowski

I don't know where the hell this band came from, but I sincerely hope there's more in the works that result in the release of an album in the coming year. Me Versus the Monster would do equally as well on the Gravity Records roster of the early `90s, just being a part of that definitive D.C. emo sound of the late `80s. For only three guys, the band sure creates a whole lot of noise, in a more honest and well crafted manner than I thought people knew how to do things anymore.

The Resurrectionist may only have six tracks on it, but the trio makes damn sure that you get your money's worth in each of those six songs. The disjointing riffing and barreling drum fills intensify with each passing second, with the screams of the vocalist constantly impressing with its intensity and overall quality of sound. As solid and unique as the screams are, it's nice that the band is intuitive enough to throw some variety in there, as the scruffily sung vocals offer a terrific contrast. If I was to pick a point of comparison for the vocal style, pick up the Glass & Ashes record, because that's about the kind of unrelenting energy and passion you can expect from this album.

Me Versus the Monster is no one-trick pony, however, as the guitar, drum, and bass work all borders on flawless as well.

The rhythms are tight and the bass pulsing, adding to the ultimately unstable, volatile nature of the music, and what's more impressive is that the singer plays guitar just as well as he sings and screams, making for a formidable one-two punch. The dissonant textures breed a tight, powerful sound, one that's full of starts and stops, ups and downs. Even when not playing at full throttle, as in much of "Next of Kin," the feeling is still one that would have you believe an explosive reaction is imminent, waiting just around the corner, right after that next chord progression. The carefully selected chords in "Rolling in His Grave" have you hanging off every single down stroke, the deliberate way in which they keep your attention works like a charm. The back and forth feel gives the impression of each musician battling each other, and that dichotomy just brings things to another level entirely.

This is a post-punk return to form. Elements of Jawbox and Heroin seep into every pore of the music, and just makes the sting of the lyrics all the more profound. Truly a terrific record.