Ikara Colt follows the punk rock fleet of 2002 (
the Liars,
Interpol) and spits on rock mainstream in the process.
Chat and Business, their first for Epitaph, functions with a minimalist approach; threads of early
Sonic Youth ("One Note") and
Joy Division ("At the Lodge") echo throughout as
Ikara Colt keeps a near-bulletproof guitar jam. Frontman
Paul Resende is a vocal curmudgeon with style, and assuredly he comes off fresh. The formulaic, three-chord riff blazes through "Rudd" and "Pop Group," while the electric jolt of "Sink Venice" highlights a nervy, raw rhythm section at their best. Guitarist
Claire Ingram is queenly in her role of guiding
Ikara Colt's synth-driven sonic power. She and
Resende emphasize the band's uncompromising disposition, and the heavy twitch and snarl of "Here We Go Again" is distinct in saying so.
Chat and Business isn't just a punk record. What is punk anyway? The mixture is a bit thick nowadays.
Ikara Colt creates an edgy, electronic/punk-inspired sound with
Chat and Business, and the end result is impressively slick.