Three albums into their career, New Jersey's
Fight Amp show no desire to outgrow their tough but taut noise rock tendencies, but that hardly means they are treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality either. Released in 2012,
Birth Control introduces new drummer Dan Smith (who, conveniently, also designed its cover art) into vocalist/guitarist Mike McGinnis and vocalist/bassist Jon DeHart's private little fight club, and the tenacious, unforgiving music they produce in unison makes it just as easy to imagine the trio members sparring in a seedy old boxing gym as bashing away at their instruments in a dingy rehearsal space. And while the boys last just eight rounds (songs) on
Birth Control, most of 'em extend well beyond the regulation three minutes and boast a series of curiously style-departing codas -- e.g., the menacing echoes of "White Pickett," the piano on "Should've Worn Black" -- that enhance the illusion of a championship bout going the distance. By and large, most tracks ("Fly Trap," "Creepy Kicks," "I Am the Corpse") focus on punishing instrumental interplay, guitars verging on the atonal, while McGinnis incessantly barks against the fading of the light, escalating to outright screams when the rage becomes more than he can contain. Not until the late-album instrumental left turn "Goner" does the band forgo its customary energy for a more measured, though no less intense, approach where bass grooves call the shots as guitars and drums deliver the body blows. All of which raises the question: are you man or woman enough to go toe to toe with
Fight Amp? Then get in the ring! ~ Eduardo Rivadavia