Paperwork

volcano!

The Leaf Label

2008-09-01

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• (Member — 0 votes)

Chicago trio volcano! have been on a two-year hiatus since their debut album Beautiful Seizure received rave reviews in 2005. Exploring the parameters of rock, the band have tried to maintain a balance of melody and noise on Paperwork, often beginning with simple pop structures and then tearing them apart with reckless abandon to elicit a bodily reaction. They’ve also brought a political stance into their lyrics, coupled with a sense of humour, to deliver a challenging album often with its tongue firmly in its cheek.

Jaunty album opener “Performance Evaluation Form” revels in a repetitive nature that echoes the lyrics telling of the tedium of modern life, just as the artwork features layer upon layer of policy documents. As it becomes distorted into a twisted circus theme, the merry-go-round of life’s trials are mocked. Vocalist Aaron With may sound whiney, but he has some interesting points to make. On “Africa Just Wants to Have Fun” he mocks rock stars such as Bono who claim to be saving the world by harping on about famine and poverty by stating: “I admit it I don’t know what to do / But I know what not to do.” Set to a ragged guitar and off-beats from Sam Scranton’s drums and percussion while Mark Cartwright’s bass pumps away he berates them wanting to look cool by using their superstar power without really achieving anything despite taking centre stage at vast gigs.

A challenging album often with its tongue firmly in its cheek.

volcano! are sprightly and feverish, but also drift along with the self-deprecating “Slow Jam” as a juxtaposition to With’s voice. “Fairy Tale” is a grainy rock track criticising the non-profit sector while environmental responsibility gets another battering in light of consumerism on “Sweet Tooth”. With is clearly a man who wants to tackle issues head on and they are as relevant to all parts of the world as they are to the Chicago-based act. They enjoy their unstructuredness — even basking in its ruptures to the rhythm first laid down at the start of a track — but it can prove disorientating at times. Still, in their experimental nature, it’s hard not to admire a penchant for throwing such rough guitar textures and cutting beats together overlaid by With’s sometimes slapdash delivery. Somehow it works on Paperwork, leading volcano! up a path towards being a niche act, yet respected by all willing to invest the time to listen to their tirades against modern life.