SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LIFEGUARD – RIPPED AND TORN

LIFEGUARD
RIPPED AND TORN
MATADOR RECORDS

If you are a fan of noisy, full-throttle garage punk, then Lifeguard is for you. The band, comprising Asher Case (vocals and bass), Isaac Lowenstein (drums and percussion), and Kai Slater (vocals and guitar), has been creating some of the best punk and noise rock of this decade. Their debut album, Ripped And Torn, cements the fact that they are one of the most exciting up-and-coming bands. With rapid-fire chaotic instrumentation, anthemic choruses, relentless energy, and captivating vocals, Ripped And Torn is a sublime combination of garage rock, noise rock, punk, post-punk, and dub.

“A Tightwire” explosively opens the album with loud, clashing instrumentation and frantic in-your-face energy. Right off the start, Lifeguard bombards the listener with intense sonic havoc and never lets down. “It Will Get Worse” follows suit. This powerfully booming track is guaranteed to have you headbanging. Plus, the catchy verses and choruses are super easy to sing along to.
“How To Say Deisar” is as noisy and hectic as they come. The guitar riffs thunderously screech, the drumming is aggressively kinetic, the vocals are infectiously wild, and the bass work is turbulent. Lastly, “(I Wanna) Break Out” is a brilliant hardcore song with plenty of attitude and fierce instrumentation.

For as discordant, messy, and harsh sounding as the album is, it remains very easy to dance to. The dreamily hazy ‘80s post-punk dub inspired “Like You’ll Lose” is a perfect example of this. Despite featuring guitars that howl as if they are in pain, the atmosphere and bass of the song give it a dance-like vibe. Alternatively, the dark, gothic-tinged “T.L.A.” is equally danceable while also having one of the most anthemic choruses on the record.

Additionally, Lifeguard goes into some experimental territory on Ripped And Torn, as seen in “Music For 3 Drums” and “Charlie’s Vox”, which sees them exploring surreal avant-garde sounds and textures. These songs demonstrate Lifeguard’s willingness to expand their sonic world and incorporate new things into the mix.

Overall, Ripped And Torn is a very impressive debut from Lifeguard that goes by lightning quick. These short, frenzied, garage punk tunes are a super exhilarating time that will be exhilarating to hear at upcoming live shows.

SPILL FEATURE: THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE CRAZY RECORDING STUFF – A CONVERSATION WITH ASHER CASE AND ISAAC LOWENSTEIN OF LIFEGUARD

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