STAYER - Better Days

Power-trio from Pordenone made up of vocals, two guitars and drums (Arrigo Cabai, Alberto Rainis and Jean-Luc Beorchia, all former members of Vitriola and Hurlyburly), Stayer were formed at the end of the 90s to put their own spin on classic noise-rock (Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Cows). "Better Days", their first full-length, loosely builds on their earlier short-distance releases, as well as their live recordings and appearances on various compilations, to offer psychotic tracks like "Amniotic", which muddies post-rock throbs in the vein of June Of '44, with a Steve Albini-style vocal and guitar flanging; the brief "Electricity", with its atonal glissando and synth effects; and "Machine", with its spicy pace (offbeat chords almost in the style of the Police) and explosive riffs reminiscent of Red Worms' Farm.

The best tracks are perhaps "Come Clean", a splinter that recalls the Descendents with electro-robotic touches, and "Spleen Attack", a piece brimming with both bare-bones post-punk clichés and inconsistencies in dynamics and tempo.

Made up of a series of genuine post-hardcore outpourings, lightly arranged and supported by uneven solidity, this collection takes stock of the situation on criteria that are more anti-enjoyable than anti-commercial. Teho Teardo, the fourth Stayer, already with Meathead and Modern Institute and with some high-profile collaborations under his belt, also plays synths ("Come Clean", "Machine", "Electricity") and baritone guitar ("Words on Paper", "Electricty"), and on top of that he suddenly turns cheap producer.

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07/07/2008