Last week, you had a chance to read a review about “Hold No Grudges,” the exceptional second full-length album by New Rose, a Swedish alt-rock band you should put on your radar as soon as possible. Now, we delve back into the past, rediscovering “Tracklist Within,” their debut album released in 2011. I am not sure how much alternative and indie rock are adequate genres for these folks, as their music spans across so many rock subgenres, that you’ll have a hard time noticing them all in one sitting. If you ever craved a band that knows how to act like a curator or historian interested in sharing all the fundamental knowledge about so many music genres, then New Rose is an adequate candidate for that position.
As soon as you press play, you’ll be transported back in time to when these styles reigned supreme. Thankfully, they’re quite popular nowadays, as the revival has thrived for almost a decade. Perhaps seventies New York art punk, art rock, punk rock, and post-punk come to mind first, as the band evokes the spirit of bands like Television and Talking Heads, but you’ll also notice some nods or homages to legendary Bostonian’s Mission Of Burma somewhere in the mix. Also, there are some hints of the Gang Of Four, Wire, Echo & The Bunnymen, so these experienced Swedish musicians haven’t forgotten our side of the pond. In the meantime, there are resemblances with sixties garage rockers like MC5 or The Stooges while the band simultaneously navigates some psychedelic punk rock maneuvers, most likely channeling something Greg Sage and his The Wipers did in the seventies and the eighties. Of course, this sonic journey wouldn’t be entirely complete without some late eighties indie a la Superchunk or a comprehensive collection of the nineties alternative rock sonic maneuvers. Still, New Rose somehow manages to incorporate modern alt and indie into their music, as their tracks carry excellent sound quality that meets all the trends in contemporary music production. But then again, “Tracklist Within” will be entirely up your alley if you’re looking for that particular nostalgic sixties, seventies, and eighties sound, as the folks truly love music from that era.
The way they maintain the ambiance is nearly mindblowing. The waves of rawness, abrasiveness, and fuzziness arrive with such precision and finesse, as the guitars navigate this pleasant rock ‘n’ roll course, making it almost irresistible, addictive, and hypnotic. However, there are many psych-rock virtuosities, expertly assembled and tastefully performed to satisfy even the pickiest listeners. The intricate basslines rumble beneath all these heavily distorted guitar layers, filling the ambiance with rich and luxurious warmness. The drumming performance is equally good, as he propels these songs and segments to the max, but also keeps the remainder of the band in control. Of course, the amount of distortion and energy depends on the song’s mood, so you’ll notice how some tracks carry that crystal clear, glassy, jangly sound, while the low-end virtuosities and drumming are even more technical. The vocals shine on every number, as they navigate those low, mid, and high notes with slightly melodic shouts that will instantly throw you back to the best years of post-punk music.
Tracks like “Sleeping Sides,” “The Turn Of The Bird,” “Case Of Sensitivity,” “The Wheel,” “List Of Abbreviations,” “The Sun Is A Star,” and “Open Access” are undoubtedly standouts, but “Tracklist Within” is one of those albums without any flaws, so you should listen to it without skipping. New Rose demands your attention, so head to their Bandcamp page, purchase both albums and blast them loud on your stereo.
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