There’s nothing like a potent dose of beautiful ax noise to clear out the mental cobwebs. But who would have thought that three normal dudes in sweater vests and polos could bring that noise? Oxford Collapse, that’s who.
Like its Sub Pop labelmates No Age, who so far has recorded the rock effort of the year in this journo’s humble opinion, Oxford Collapse speaks softly but carries a mighty big sonic stick. Which it has no problem beating you over the head with. The trio’s latest effort Bits is due August 5, but you can taste its visceral jam on the stream or download for "The Birthday Wars" below. Short but sweet in the vein of its heroes The Minutemen, the song is a panic attack of riffage, feedback and thunderous drums, one that grows on you like Swamp Thing.
STREAM: Oxford Collapse’s "The Birthday Wars"
The band’s national tour kicks off on July 29 in Philly, so check it out if you’re looking for some catharsis. It’ll have more tunes than ever geared to go for the crowd. "The economy has been bad," guitarist and vocalist Michael Pace explains on Sub Pop’s Oxford Collapse page, "so we decided to write more songs. Shorter ones, too."
Photo: Sub Pop/David Needleman
