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74 posts since 1/31/2009
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Posted on 12/31/2009 at 3:19:12 PM
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Droids Attack - Must DestroyReview by JJ Koczan (StonerRock.com) Crustacean Records Release date: February 2010 Because of its lighthearted approach and riffy goodtime vibes it would be easy to gloss over Droids Attack’s third full-length, Must Destroy (Crustacean Records), as a kind of joke release. Song titles like “The Great Wall of ‘Gina,” “Astro Glider,” “The Unforgiven 4,” and “Koko Beware,” while hilarious, support the position. But there’s more to the Madison, Wisconsin trio than goofy lyrics and a robot mascot (although, in many cases, that would probably be enough). They seriously rock. Guitarist/vocalist Brad Van would seem to be leading the charge, and while one can pick out influences from Melvins to Helmet to High on Fire in his playing, never so specifically as to make the songs redundant. At the same time, they never reach so far beyond the stoner milieu as to be unfamiliar, which winds up adding to the accessibility of Must Destroy. In a way, the party atmosphere is a big part of what helps distinguish Droids Attack, but if one were to experience the album without the artwork, titles or any other context, the music would still stand up. The rhythm section of bassist Nate Bush and drummer Tony Brungraber is a big part of why. Not only do they keep up with Van’s riffing, but they add flavor and personality to the songs. Brungraber’s drums could have stood to be a little higher in the final mix, but even from hearing them as they are, it’s clear the complexity of his playing is an essential element to making these songs work. The songs are filled out to varying degrees by Tim Thompson’s keyboard work, usually keeping to an organ sound that’s a well-established component of the classic stoner rock feel. I keep hearing Suplecs in “The Arcade Bully,” but that might just be coincidence. The title track which follows immediately is the album centerpiece but not necessarily the highlight. It’s up there, definitely, but it’s hard to discount the later upped aggression of “The Crisis in the City (It’s Increasing)” or the memorable instrumental finale of “Astro Glider,” on which Thompson’s keys come to the fore. In some ways it feels like by giving it a close reading I’m taking the piss out of Must Destroy, missing the point somehow, and to that end, I’ll keep it (relatively) short. What Droids Attack have on their third album is a successful meshing of solid, thick riff rock with an engaging, friendly mood. I don’t know if I’d vote them for president, but I’d definitely have a beer with these dudes, even if I had to go to cold-ass Wisconsin to do it. In the meantime, drinking by myself and listening to Must Destroy will do just fine. Recommended for anyone not afraid of enjoying themselves.
URL: http://www.myspace.com/droidsattack
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55,349 posts since 7/17/2002
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Posted on 2/27/2010 at 1:22:50 PM
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Droids Attack - Must DestroyReview by John Pegoraro (StonerRock.com) Crustacean Records Release date: 2010 I'm a sucker for big finishes and when I first heard the thrashy, controlled pummeling of "Koko Beware" switch over to "Astro Glider," an extended solo of an instrumental that closes out Must Destroy, I was sold on Droids Attack's latest - and yes, greatest. It wouldn't have mattered if the preceding seven songs were your garden variety, stump dumb riff rockers - "Koko Beware" and "Astro Glider" elevate the album above the cluttered wasteland of "Good for What It Is" and into the more sparsely populated "Damn Near Great." But hey, those initial seven tracks rock pretty hard as well. If they don't quite hit the same level, they don't miss by much and they certainly set the tone for what's to follow. You could say - and I am - that starting with opener instrumental "The Unforgiven 4," Droids Attack lean into you and never ease up. It may be via bludgeoning (the High on Fire-y and perfectly titled "Great Wall of 'Gina"), it may be filtered through an Only Living Stoner Witness prism ("The Arcade Bully," "Canadian Death Bus"), and it may be downright Sabbathian in its Sabbath-ness (""Must Destroy"), but what it's not is soft or insipid. The riffs are big, the grooves are deep, and most importantly there's always a hook strong enough to hold onto while the band throws down another inspired track. Those who heard Fatal/Error may think they know what the band's capable of, but it turns out that was just the barest of hints. Must Destroy shows tremendous growth and puts Droids Attack is miles ahead of the curve. The ending makes the album damn near great, but when you add it all up, it's more like "Damn Near Perfect." Highly recommended.
URL: http://www.myspace.com/droidsattack
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I`m never going to work another day in my life
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2,599 posts since 5/17/2000
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Posted on 1/4/2010 at 6:07:06 PM
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Nice. Always enjoy seeing these guys live. Probably one of 2 "local' bands that I'll make an effort to go see.
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Takin` a trip on a cosmic deathride...
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51 posts since 2/19/2007
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Posted on 1/7/2010 at 1:22:09 PM
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Beat me to the punch on this one JJ. Fucking top-notch review from start to finish, for a good time sludge-y, rock n' roll disc. These guys are picking up the vacant throne of Sofa King Killer. Grooves and blues riffs flying at you endlessly, with a vibe of good times and good brews. Killer!
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655 posts since 2/19/2002
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Posted on 1/7/2010 at 1:38:33 PM
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Haven't heard this one yet but they killed opening for Slough Feg. I'll be checking it out for sure.
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788 posts since 4/27/2006
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Posted on 2/12/2010 at 8:16:55 PM
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I loved "Fatal/Error" so I gotta' get this one and check it out.
Great review!
Wish I could catch 'em live sometime, I really like this band.
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5,268 posts since 2/9/2003
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Posted on 2/12/2010 at 9:52:36 PM
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Cool review, I think your general des c r i p tion of the band is pretty spot on. I don't know any of the dudes that well, but played a show with them a long ways back and they are fun guys. That and Nate Bush is quality bartender. I'm glad they have some new material because as much as I like them, seeing the same stuff from a local band gets repetitive.
They are having their release party tomorrow night, I don't know if I'll be able to make it, but I'm looking forward to hearing their new stuff live.
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The beet was Torgo`s favorite vegetable. You could see it in his eyes
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2,599 posts since 5/17/2000
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Posted on 2/13/2010 at 12:11:22 PM
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I think the CD release show in Minneapolis is Friday, 2/19. Triple Rock.
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Takin` a trip on a cosmic deathride...
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2,257 posts since 11/15/2000
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Posted on 2/19/2010 at 10:33:02 PM
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Reading comprehension is a lost art.
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12 posts since 12/31/2007
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Posted on 2/21/2010 at 10:19:24 PM
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If you want to listen to the album before you purchase it at StonerRock.com they have it streaming at The Obelisk at http://theobelisk.net/obelisk/2010/02/16/droidsattackplayer/ A lot of hot reviews having been popping up for the new Droids album. Here's a sample: "You’re not likely to get more bluesy riffs and swagger on any other album this year. Droids Attack have again pushed all the right buttons, when it comes to my love for big, classy riffs and Must Destroy will probably end up on my next, horribly disfigured “year end best of list” as a result of their groovy prowess." - Jay Snider, HellRide.com "Understanding the need for unyielding attitude, these guys are still somewhat intellectual, stepping just beyond the psyche-influenced rock'n'roll that Priestess and Valient Thorr have been mining for some time now. It results in a powerful, churning effort high on creativity and virtually devoid of the genre's typical lazy approach: wringing one substantial riff to death." - Keith Carman, Exclaim.ca "Van keeps things on the good-humored side of macho and lets his obsessions with video games and robots leak in, with song titles like "The Arcade Bully" and "Koko Beware." (Speaking of titles, it's impossible to respond to "The Great Wall Of Gina" without shooting Pabst out your nose, even if you're not drinking one.)" - Scott Gordon, The Onion "Wisconsin's Droids Attack strike the target with a swaggering stoner-rock/metal gem that's sure to appeal to cloudy and clear-headed individuals alike who crave heavy doses of infectious, fuzzy, igniting fret-fury." - Michael Wuensch, MetalReview.com
URL: http://www.crustaceanrecords.com/
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12 posts since 12/31/2007
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Posted on 4/14/2010 at 9:45:59 PM
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Droids Attack have caught some incredible national buzz off of their latest release Must Destroy. The record has been getting excellent reviews consistently since it came out in February, and it just debuted at #35 on the national metal charts last week. We're proud of our boys, and happy to announce that they're ready to hit the road for the first leg of their Spring/Summer tour. This first jaunt takes them through the Midwest, down South, and back again. Catch them while you can! East coast dates to be announced soon. 4/20 - The Mill, Iowa City, IA w/ Super Chief, & Snow Demon 4/21 - The Reverb Lounge, Lawrence, KS w/ Here Is There 4/22 - Bora Bora, Oklahoma City, OK w/ Choke-N-Throttle, LTD, & Nursing Hom Panty Raid 4/23 - Bill's Records, Dallas, TX (instore performance at 3:00pm) 4/23 - Nightrocker Live, San Antonio, TX w/ Chris La Blanc 4/24 - Headhunter's, Austin, TX w/ Oklahomos, Faceblaster, & Bay Of Pigs 4/25 - The Dalzell House, Shreveport, LA w/ John Calvin, & Noble Rust 4/26 - TBA in Memphis, TN 4/27 - Cicero's, St Louis, MO w/ Common Era, & Three Sheets
URL: http://www.crustaceanrecords.com/
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4,995 posts since 4/23/2002
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Posted on 4/27/2010 at 3:57:15 PM
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This one's a big winner. They've really got the songs ...think hooks, groove, & heavy from start to finish. Hits on that classic stoner rock sound that got so watered down for all those years. Relentless.
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All pedigree, no class.
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1,452 posts since 4/18/2008
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Posted on 4/29/2010 at 2:23:21 PM
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Great album and the songs translate very well in a live setting...caught a show a week ago...well worth it...these guys don't get the attention they deserve...
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2,541 posts since 12/6/2007
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Posted on 7/19/2010 at 2:49:50 PM
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Just listening to this for the first time and loving it. Bonus points for using a talk box and having a song called "Blueshammer."
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Woody High of the band Mighty High, actually
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