There's an alternate universe somewhere out there, one in which Steve Albini moved to Guelph, Ontario, hooked up with members of the Rapture and Hot Cross, and made some intense, danceable, abrasive rock music. Unfortunately, we do not live in that universe, but we may have one up on that equation, as we have North of America, another band that supports my theory that the Canadians are lapping the rest of the world in the music wars.
Bands with guitars this cranky and basses that rumble this much shouldn't inspire your ass to shake, but somehow, the band pulls this off. In the middle of the opener "Keep it On the Download," the chant "Dance to rhythm of telephone wires!" comes at you, completely free of sarcasm and irony. This band legitimately makes you want to dance, to groove, to freak, to robot, to walk like an Egyptian, almost anything other than mosh or throw windmills. When the second track, "Wet to Dance," begins, you'll find that you are, especially when the keyboards kick in, showing another trick the band's got up their sleeves.
Even on the more low-key numbers, you'll find yourself rapt at attention, as for a couple times on the record, the vocals become discernable, and you realize the band is spouting out some pretty neat lyrics. Try to avoid singing along to the call and response chorus of "Let's Get Sick to Our Stomachs," or not shouting "Thank you, you're welcome / The sentiment was heavensent / Thank you, you're welcome / Fucked up your monument!" on "Oh My God, Oh My God, Everybody, Oh My God."
For the most part, though, the band keeps things pretty upbeat, with propulsive rockers like "All Actors Are Liars," "Let's Get Tight," and "The Fix Is In" being the routine on the record, fast-paced, instrumentally impressive, and wonderfully worded. Even on the darker numbers like "Voting 'No' On the Warming of Antarctica" and "Don't Ask Me How I Did It (I'm a Young Turk)," the groove is still kept intact, both of which provide ample opportunities for the rhythm section to take the lead, which they do in show-stopping fashion.
The most noticeable thing about the record is how much tighter and finer-crafted it is than the bands previous works. The other records rocked, but this is the only one that finds their desire to be punchy and skronky hooking up with the groove and ass-shaking elements they've been in pursuit of since their formation. Sadly, this monster statement of near-perfection from the band will be their last word to the world, as they broke up in the fall of 2003.
