While listening to The Megaphonic Thrift’s self-titled sophomore album it is hard not to make Sonic Youth comparisons. Not because the Norwegian self-proclaimed “indie-supergroup of sorts” shamelessly copies the seminal American group, but because without Sonic Youth, it is hard to imagine music like this being made. But that does not need to be a bad thing. The music does not sound like the forced result of fan-boy copycats. Instead it comes across as organic and natural, much like their recording process: they slowly developed the songs in the studio, without trying to force them in one direction or another. They seem to be at their best and most comfortable just playing what they love.
The album consistently blends the rough and the dissonant with the dreamy and soft. “Tune Your Mind,” the opening track, is a perfect example of this combination. The song opens with feedback and diminished chords chugging overtop a simplistic drum beat only to fly into a smooth, poppy chorus that fits in perfectly over the same simplistic drum beat. “Broken Glass/Yellow Fingers” blends hypnotic guitar riffs with delay-ridden vocals and a strong bass line. The album closes on a dreamy note with the vocals of “Spaced Out” swirling over top of simple guitar riffing and drum beats that slowly decay and fall in on themselves.
If you want something forcefully original, this album probably isn’t for you. But if you want an enjoyable variation on all your old Sonic Youth albums, I recommend giving this a try. (Sonic Unyon, sonicunyon.com) Colburne Poapst