From Albuquerque, NM USA
Atomic Love Medicine with the Ant Farmers Saturday, Oct. 21,00; Moonlight Lounge: After a brief hiatus, Atomic Love Medicine have returned with all three original members ... and a vengeance. Guitarist Neal Smith's deliciously off-kilter guitar work and the band's mystical '80s new wave flavor only bands like the Church and The Bolshoi (the band, not the Russian ballet company) were capable of making for some very prettyÂat times even stunning Âmelodies.
The whole thing then gets to swirling about in a sort of surreal anonymity that was thought to have died after the aforementioned Church put out Starfish. Then, just as serenely as it began, Smith begins unleashing effected power chords on an unsuspecting listening audience, turning the whole affair into a festival of rhythmic dynamics that defies description. A
nd that's ALM's appeal in a nutshell: You recognize some of the guitar figures, some of the bass and drum passages, even some of the melodies dangle in little ribbons of familiarity, but for naughtÂit's all on the tip of your tongue, and that's the feeling of titillation you're left to struggle with mercilessly.
Ah, but pain is so close to pleasure, no? Their set at the recently reopened Moonlight was a breath of fresh air for fans hoping desperately that the venue wouldn't resort to the beer-soaked punk rock nights that look great on paper, but more often than not turn into misdirected testosterone masquerading as live music.
With Smith in fine form and the fully recharged rhythm section consisting of bassist Hank and Mojo on drums, ALM proceeded through a wildly eccentric set of what appeared to be mostly new material. Kick-ass hooks and patently weird songwriting mingle in an engaging cauldron of pop that isn't, exactly.
And what's more, they seem to have an innate sense for when to go for the throat and when to power down into more poignant mode. If this recent performance is any indication, then an upcoming CD release party will certainly prove to have been well worth the wait.
--Michael Henningsen, Weekly Alibi
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.socyermom.comTrack List:
1. Wwjd
2. Salt
3. Sullen
4. Principle
5. Parting Words
Suggested CDs:
Other Genres:
