You Better Run, Your Highness

Girl Loves Distortion

Etxe Records, 2009

http://www.etxerecords.com/girl-loves-distortion

REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/01/2014

When people think of the D.C. punk scene, it’s inevitably Dischord records that is brought up first, especially their most revered bands: Fugazi, Jawbox and Shudder To Think. It's understandable, considering how influential those bands and label have been on the independent music community in our nation's capital. my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

However, there are dozens, if not hundreds of similar bands from the area that are just as dedicated to the DIY ideology and are also capable of producing urgent rock music that continues to support their community and ideals. The trio of Girl Loves Distortion, and the label the members run, Etxe (pronounced et-CHAY), are further proof of how fertile independent music in D.C. is.

“Weighing” starts off this sophomore album and sounds right at home in the early '90s alt-rock scene à la Sonic Youth, with female backing vocals, hypnotic rhythms and a guitar solo to boot. “UFOs (Unidentified Fascist Operators)” follows and continues on with propulsive alt-rock. Meanwhile, “As I'm Run Down By The Evil Disco Princess” starts out like it could be played at a disco before swerving into a swampy rock ‘n’ roll flavor. The title track, at the halfway point, is an electronica inspired instrumental that sounds like a video game on the cusp of going haywire.

The second half of the album is more in line with the D.C. post-punk lineage, as evidenced by the moody rocker “Craneos Del Azucar” and the driving, jangly rock of “Cryptograms.” The anomaly on this half is the chunky mid '90s radio rock of “Dick And/Or Jane,” which flows into the upbeat, harmonic, garage rocking closer “Ascend.” Easily one of the strongest songs on the album, it's a fine way to exit an already memorable listen.

Sadly, this was the last Girl Loves Distortion release to date. On the brighter side, there is an equally great first LP available, Earth Beings On Exhibit, and Christopher Goett now plays in Silo Halo, one of the most exciting band's today in D.C.

Rating: A-

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