REVIEW: Nomad Stones - "Nomad Stones"

By: Charlie Butler

 

Album Type: EP
Date Released: 05/08/2016
Label: Brutal Panda Records

 

 

Nomad Stones deal in short, sharp blasts of scuzzy, grunge-soaked punk rock with hooks guaranteed to be buried in your skull for weeks to come.  It’s hard to resist the invigorating, infectious energy of these eight tracks. This brief burst of spiky noise leaves you hungry for more

 

 

‘Nomad Stones” DD//LP track listing:

 

1. Dead Batteries
2. Dirty Boots And A Friend Named Goo
3. Drain Brain
4. The Frugal Yankee
5. Glory Days
6. Heartbeat
7. In Too Deep
8. The Sandwich Police

 

The Review:

 

Nomad Stones deal in short, sharp blasts of scuzzy, grunge-soaked punk rock with hooks guaranteed to be buried in your skull for weeks to come. The Boston trio feature Cave In’s Adam McGrath and JR Connors within their ranks, but this debut EP is far removed from the epic bombast of their heaviest moments. Fans of Cave In’s simpler moments will not be disappointed though and everyone will be pleased that their penchant for searing, effects-laden solos remains intact.

 

“Dead Batteries” and “The Frugal Yankee” deliver a perfect balance of gritty post-hardcore and melodic urgency that bring to mind the ragged, adrenaline rush of Cloud Nothings. “Dirty Boots and A Friend Named Goo” starts in unexpected bubblegum-fashion for a paean to Sonic Youth, but a wave of guitar squall that would make the New York noiseniks proud, rises from the depths and envelopes the landscape in fuzz.

 

Elsewhere, Nomad Stones deliver super-catchy pop songs caked in a healthy layer of dirt. The anthemic crawl of “Drain Brain” and their cover of Buddy Holly’s “Heartbeat” sound like a union of the Misfits and Weezer. This sounds like an unlikely recipe for success but somehow the band makes it work and it sits comfortably alongside the more angular sounds elsewhere. 

 

It’s hard to resist the invigorating, infectious energy of these eight tracks. This brief burst of spiky noise leaves you hungry for more. Hopefully they will be back soon.

‘Nomad Stones” is available here

 

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