Oh My Rockness

Pelican rules! Instrumental, forceful and somehow melodic, think of these Chicagoans as an angrier Mogwai, or Explosions in the Sky on Andro. Pelican play repetitious, almost trance-like, guitar riffs that steadily build into a euphoric atmosphere of hardcore noise with the most subtle trace of pretty guitar lines floating over the top.

With driving, precise rhythms that tread the fine line between melody and dissonance, they ward off the instrumental band curse of monotony. The thing about Pelican is that they're interesting. Any band can make your ears bleed once. But these guys have the tools and craftsmanship to keep you returning, like a co-dependent lover, for more and more painful pleasure. I'll end where I started, Pelican rules!

Published 04/23/09