{"id":101560,"date":"2019-09-05T11:00:40","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T15:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/?p=101560"},"modified":"2019-09-04T17:23:56","modified_gmt":"2019-09-04T21:23:56","slug":"album-review-wallop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/album-review-wallop\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review: !!! \u2013 Wallop"},"content":{"rendered":"

Long past are the days when dance-punk was a dominate force in the indie world, but that has not slowed down !!!<\/strong>\u2019s (pronounced Chk Chk Chk<\/strong>) steady pace of releases since the early 2000s.  And while similar bands have evolved their approach in different directions (e.g., the Remain in the Light<\/em> obsession of LCD Soundsystem<\/strong>, or the more often guitar-centric sound of Electric Six<\/strong>*<\/strong>), !!!<\/strong> have typically not strayed far from their original sound.<\/p>\n

Which brings us to their latest release, Wallop<\/em>.  The overall dance-y vibe remains the same, but the performances veer more towards the electronic aspect of the band, and everything seems to hit a little harder \u2013 the bass is deeper, the synths are dirtier, and drum machines contribute most of the rhythm here.<\/p>\n

All of this is obvious from the opening bass synth of the first track \u201cLet It Change U\u201d (the first of several song titles to feature the idiosyncratic shorthand often used by the band), with front man Nic Offer<\/strong> asking the listener, \u201cWhy won\u2019t you let the rhythm change you, why won\u2019t you let it rearrange a little thing or two,\u201d as if extending an invitation to the party this album is throwing in your speakers.<\/p>\n

Offer\u2019s trademark vocal delivery is on full display here, his humor leaving a mark on songs like \u201c$50 Million\u201d (\u201cI stand accused of all the usual stuff,\u201d he proclaims, then explains that “there’s a comfort in my chosen delusions,” following up with “50 thousand dollars wouldn’t change my mind, but 50 million, now we’re talkin’\/I’ve been tempted, but not that often\/if they want some of this it’s gonna cost ’em,” indicating a shameless, tongue-in-cheek willingness to trade convictions for money).  And \u201cSlow Motion\u201d offers a stream-of-conscious and paranoid rambling that will be familiar to fans of the band\u2019s debut album Louden Up Now<\/em>.  Singer Meah Pace<\/strong> contributes vocals on tracks \u201cOff the Grid\u201d and \u201cThis is the Door\u201d (a highlight of the album), offering a fresh new voice that melds with the band\u2019s rhythms and Offer\u2019s vocals effortlessly.<\/p>\n

Between the synth-dominated tracks, the group does leave room for the guitar and bass to lead the way at times, like on the lead single \u201cCouldn\u2019t Have Known\u201d and \u201cSerbia Drums,\u201d which sounds like a 90s-era pop song.  These often prove to be the least interesting moments on the album compared to the pace and sounds offered by the predominately electronic tracks like \u201cOff the Grid,\u201d \u201cMy Fault,\u201d and \u201cDomino.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall, the band knows exactly what this album is \u2013 a dance party soundtrack \u2013 and they deliver with expert execution that never takes itself too seriously.<\/p>\n

Wallop <\/em>was released on August 30, 2019.  Be sure to check out !!!<\/strong> when they stop at The Broadberry<\/strong> in Richmond, VA on October 16, 2019, and\/or U Street Music Hall<\/strong> in Washington, DC on October 17, 2019.<\/p>\n

*<\/strong>Author\u2019s Note: These references are solely a representation of my taste and exposure to this genre.  I\u2019m sure there are some readers writhing in their chairs or reeling back to smash their smart phones, but before you activate that Apple Care warranty, know that I am just one man and fully understand there is likely at least one great band from this era I have unjustly ignored.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wallop<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Released:<\/strong> August 30, 2019<\/p>\n

Track Listing:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Let It Change U<\/p>\n

2. Couldn’t Have Known<\/p>\n

3. Off the Grid<\/p>\n

4. In the Grid<\/p>\n

5. Serbia Drums<\/p>\n

6. My Fault<\/p>\n

7. Slow Motion<\/p>\n

8. Slo Mo<\/p>\n

9. $50 Million<\/p>\n

10. Domino<\/p>\n

11. Rhythm of Gravity<\/p>\n

12. UR Paranoid<\/p>\n

13. This is the Door<\/p>\n

14. This is the Dub<\/p>\n

Performance Details<\/strong><\/p>\n

Performance Details<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Performance<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Details<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday, October 16, 2019<\/p>\n

Doors: 7<\/strong>:00 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Show: 8:00 <\/strong>PM<\/strong>\u200b<\/p>\n

The Broadberry <\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.thebroadberry.com<\/a><\/p>\n

2729 W Broad StRichmond, VA 23220<\/p>\n

(Google Maps Link<\/a>)<\/p>\n

2729 W Broad StRichmond, VA 23220<\/a> (804) 353-1888<\/a><\/p>\n

$<\/strong>15<\/strong>  – General Admission<\/p>\n

Thursday, October 17, 2019<\/p>\n

Doors: 7:00 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Show: 7:00 PM<\/strong>\u200b<\/p>\n

U Street Music Hall<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.ustreetmusichall.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u200b<\/a>1115A U St NW<\/p>\n

Washington, DC 20009<\/p>\n

(Google Maps Link<\/a>)<\/p>\n

$<\/strong>20<\/strong>  – General Admission<\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To learn more about !!! please visit them on the platform of yor choice:<\/p>\n