CD Review

There’s a fine line between low-fi and sci-fi punk that only the A-Frames seem sure of themselves enough to cross. On their third record, Black Forest (their first for Sub Pop), the experimental trio sounds much like the pieces of their prior bands – Butthole Surfers, Cows and Scratch Acid. But its difficult to decipher what exactly the sum is amidst the meltdowns, laser love and greed that occupy their experimental minds and hands.

“Experiment,” “Negative” and “Galena” boast irate and cranky guitar tones that give the dark anthems a sure fire jabbing pinch. Aside from those guitar duties, Erin Sullivan maintains an agonized bray that illustrates a true rumble of angst. Lars Finberg adds the primitive beats on what sounds like a homemade kit, and Min Yee lets loose on the low-end sinister bass. Through it all, the A-Frames are cold, dark and intriguing, never falling prey to optimism or even change in beat. Black Forest reckons the sounds of Armageddon, in only a way that a band called the A-Frames can truly fathom. Give it a spin if you’re curious, otherwise, you might just want to leave it alone.