Tubers
Anachronous (2010)
Brian Shultz
While I wasn't quite feeling Tubers' side of their split 7" with Brainworms, the band's got a fleshed-out full-length here that's a little more realized, a little more jaunty and a little more enjoyable. A lively post-Fugazi amalgamation of garage punk and '80s post-hardcore Anachronous is presented in a seemingly unintentionally lo-fi yet tense and urgent presentation that gives it allure.
"Coconut Thunder" makes a repeat appearance from the aforementioned 7", and placed as Track 3 makes it more effective with the more subtle, nuanced bassline intro and steadied vocal delivery. "In the Snow" comes off like a super raw and funk-less Minutemen in a weird way, while all of a sudden we're at "Small Signs Big Posts" and it's all restrained but agitated yells and surprisingly compelling, riffy guitar countering.
Comparisons have also been made to more straightforward, older D.C. acts like Rites of Spring, but if that's ever apparent, it might be the rugged speed of something like "These Quantum Leaps." Otherwise, the band is definitely adept and willing to operate at slower, more reflective tempos like with the next track, "Pale Sunbather," a mid-paced, gruff near-pop number with female vocal accompaniment that feels like it could be an absolute heartbreaker with a little more thought and detail.
I'd probably have ended the album with the somber, minimal instrumental twinges of "40 XL" over the taut title track, but that's a personal preference. Anachronous is a significant step up in sound, mood and presentation for Tubers and one can only hope they keep developing it.
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Anachronous