Blacklisters – Fantastic Man

A Tant Rêver Du Roi (EU) / Buzzhowl (UK) / Learning Curve (USA)

Blacklisters (styled as Blklstrs on the sleeve)’ latest is only their third in about ten years, but their formidable live reputation certainly translates well to the recorded performance. With the likes of Idles and Shame making it big, there is clearly still an appetite for the sort of brutal, minimalist action that we find here on the Fantastic Man LP.

The harsh, brittle guitar that opens the album goads the tuff, circular bass riff and the clattering drums that hold the thing on the rails. An angry voice delivers words in groans and screams, a mantric four-word beat that demands attention. The clipped pace has elements of post punk, but the tracks here could also sit quite as happily in an ’80s NY scuzz fest as in the modern climate.

There are echoes of Jesus Lizard on the album but Billy Mason-Wood‘s vocals, if anything. are more varied than David Yow‘s, and when he drops to an off-handed rather insouciant delivery, as on “I Read My Own Mind”, where he deflects attention to the coruscating guitar and insinuates rather than bellowing in your face. At times, the sound is muffled and mysterious, while at others it is raging and raving; but at all times, the rhythm section drives everything with the sort of single mindedness that seems bent on vengeance at the cost of the listener’s balance.

The bass is heavy and steamy on the leaden “Fantastic Man” while the guitar slices at your throat, and the strutting Wilko romp of “Motivational Speaker” finds the bass and drums in road-breaking mode, with the “I’m Taking Control” mantra delivered over the sweat and dust of the music. You sometimes have the feeling that the voice and guitar are trying to put the rhythm section off.

In the up-tempo intensity of “Le Basement”, the guitar is a feral groan that weaves around the beat while the voice yowls, throwing random elements into the mix, and although the recipe for the cacophonous stew is often similar for each track, they all stand apart making for a satisfyingly varied listen. Blacklisters’ sound is kind of rootless, made up of their own frustrations that meld together for a cleansing blast. It must sound great live; but for now, just snap this up.

-Mr Olivetti-