Severe Severe employs rhythms that sometimes require acclimation by the listener, but they reward the effort with a surprising consistency and quality over the length of a song that has matured into a particularly good live set. Among the songs to be featured on their new album, "Awakening Fire" displays some of the characteristic traits of their sound - tight, driving drumming, relentless movement in the guitar and bass punctuated by short bursts of emotional/electrical release, and the kind of economy of sound and wiry presentation that has its roots in the better post-punk bands of the early 80s.
It's no secret - this is a band that takes its inspiration from the 1980s work of bands like The Cure, Joy Division, Savage Republic, Wire, or even Mission of Burma. While a proliferation of bands in the early part of the new century repackage the seminal work produced by these artists, it is often canned, lukewarm and artificially flavored - like a room temperature Diet Shasta... sometimes worse (The Killers). The cynics among us (myself included) have reason to view with incredulity a punk rehash that appears to take itself more seriously than the genuine article ever did. However, the same criticism can be leveled at any rock band anymore in any microgenre, so compartmentalized is the music industry and jaded its supposed savants these days.
The important question is this: is it compelling? Is there substance, or am I being sold a bill of goods? I think the answer with Severe Severe is obvious. They aren't engaging in self-promotion ad nauseum at the expense of quality. Nico, Mike, and Kurt happen to think that their music, their commitment to playing it with a purpose, and their desire to make the best songs they can should be enough to get the attention of their audience. So it is a throwback that they represent, yeah - but it's a throwback not only in style, but in an entire no-frills, gimmick-free approach to writing and playing that becomes apparent when you hear them live.
By Aaron Rude
"Beyond The Pink" (CD)
At long last our new album Beyond The Pink is available on CD. As of now it can be purchased through the Paypal BUY NOW link above or by sending a money order for $12.00 (postage paid) to:
Bad Archer Records
PO Box 38010
Albany, NY 12203
*if you're overseas send us a message with your address so we can calculate postage.
You can also download the album off our myspace page or Digstation.com for cheap, if you like that sort of thing. It will also be available through Itunes and can be found in Best Buys indie music section online.
If you're a local you can purchase it at Last Vestige music shop, located at 173 Quail St. in Albany for only $10 bucks.
Also available at Borders Books and Music - 131 Wolf Road - Albany, NY
Eventually it will be available in more stores...we'll keep you posted!
Hey, the show was magical the other night. The cd sounds amazing too. the whole set took me somewhere inhabited by cathode rays and giant mushrooms that we gnawing away at my brain. I didnt even take any drugs, so good job on creating a hallucinatory environment as a soundtrack to accompany the blue tinted and flickering music. If yas aren't busy, come out to our cd release on June 19th at valentines. Afterwards theres gonna be strippers and a duck hunt tournament. peace -dIgit
we want to come so bad but have previous engagements. We really would love to come see you play soon and will pick up your album for sure. Hope we can play together sometime.
It was great seeing you guys out and as always you completely blew me away. I've been listening to the album non-stop. You should be very happy with it because it's f-cking awesome!
I like the words and the sounds kinda rock but wheres the blossom or the juice? now you guys know I'm not a musician but I am a fan and I buy records. fucking bleed on me I still think you should come to Philly. even if it is to try and kick my ass. uncle Chris
You put on an awesome show last night, well worth the drive and sleep deprivation. My brother is still talking about the show. And Bob, who prides himself on music knowledge, recognizes your superiority. Maybe we will see ya'll sometime at B. St.
Hey guys, thanks for listening. We were looking forward to seeing you in Saratoga, sorry the gig was cancelled, hope you can come back soon. Until then, Cheers - Robb
"Beyond The Pink" (CD)
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