SUPER ROOTS 3

This is the third installment of the "Super Roots" series of mini-albums or EPs, produced during a four to five year break between full-length albums in the mid 90s.. Each of these volumes seemed to experiment with their sound in a different way, and each step proved necessary to bring the band from the post-hardcore heart attacks of the early 90s to the spacious, spiritual mantras of the late 90s.

I have not yet heard Super Roots 2, but Super Roots 3 does carry the band a long way beyond their prior style. This time out, we have a single 30 minute instrumental, and a minimalistic one at that. The drum beat is near hardcore-speed throughout, and the guitars chug along briskly on a single chord for minutes at a time, creating both a hypnotic feeling and a fair amount of musical tension. The guitar tone is mean, distorted, and blaring. This is not hypnotic music to relax to, this is hypnotic music to drive angrily home from work to. Just be mindful of those speed limit signs, kids.

When the chord does change, it's quite cathartic, and the energy level kept up throughout the recording is pretty nervy. It's fast, furious, and you often wonder how long they can keep it up. Simple though the music is, I'd hate to be their drummer.

This phase in the Boredoms' metamorphosis reveals their first steps towards the huge, cosmic sound they would soon perfect. Here, they are still dealing in post-hardcore rock, but stretched out like they hadn't done before.