{"id":103240,"date":"2019-10-18T11:00:55","date_gmt":"2019-10-18T15:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/?p=103240"},"modified":"2019-10-18T11:20:58","modified_gmt":"2019-10-18T15:20:58","slug":"lightning-bolt-sonic-citadel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/lightning-bolt-sonic-citadel\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review: Lightning Bolt \u2013 Sonic Citadel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although Lightning Bolt<\/strong> only consists of two members, they always sound like a battlefield of thousands.  Their newest effort, Sonic Citadel<\/em>, is no exception.<\/p>\n

\"Lightning<\/span><\/p>\n

Lightning Bolt (Photo By: Scott Alario)<\/p>\n

Frenetic and loud have always been the name of the game with Lightning Bolt, and they stay true to that here.  And when one finally becomes accustomed to the direction of a song, they change it into something quite different, as heard on the album\u2019s opening track \u201cBlow to the Head.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is no questioning the skill of Brian Gibson <\/strong>on the bass.  This is obvious on many tracks, particularly \u201cUSA is a Psycho,\u201d \u201cHusker Don\u2019t,\u201d \u201cBig Banger,\u201d and, let\u2019s face it, pretty much on all the others. At times it becomes hard to believe that the only stringed instrument is Gibson\u2019s 5-string bass with the highest string replaced with a banjo string, placed on top of the flailing drums and vocals laid down by Brian Chippendale<\/strong>.  The duo locks in tight on every song with impressive precision.<\/p>\n

\"Lightning<\/span><\/p>\n

Lightning Bolt (Photo By: Scott Alario)<\/p>\n

\"Lightning<\/span><\/p>\n

Lightning Bolt (Photo By: Scott Alario)<\/p>\n

As the album moves forward, the songwriting becomes more surprising. \u201cDon Henley in the Park\u201d is about as close to a song in the style of its namesake that they would write. Which isn\u2019t even close by typical standards, but for Lightning Bolt it proves to be an interesting melodic exploration and a change of pace from the nonstop aggression of the rest of the album.  \u201cHalloween 3, \u201cTom Thump,\u201d and \u201cAll Insane\u201d (a remarkably straightforward song for the band that explores some wildly different sounds. Although it can be difficult to interpret Chippendale\u2019s lyrics) prove this<\/p>\n

It\u2019s apparent here that Gibson has some signature moves, the most obvious of which is bass dive bombs,  which feature prominently on \u201cBlow to the Head\u201d and \u201cBig Banger.\u201d  But that doesn\u2019t mean he has no unexpected and downright virtuosic moments on this album.  When he has laid down a loop and explores the highest register of his instrument is when the most unexpected moments appear, such as the psychotic closing notes of the final track, \u201cVan Halen 2049.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Lightning<\/span><\/p>\n

Lightning Bolt (Photo By: Scott Alario)<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Sonic Citadel<\/em> proves to be a very dense album for those willing to dive into something that is as loud as the songwriting is intricate.  And you should be among the willing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\"Lightning<\/span><\/p>\n

Lightning Bolt<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sonic Citadel<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Released:<\/strong> October 11, 2019<\/p>\n

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

1. Blow To The Head<\/p>\n

2. USA is A Psycho<\/p>\n

3. Air Conditioning<\/p>\n

4. H\u00fcsker D\u00f6n’t<\/p>\n

5. Big Banger<\/p>\n

6. Halloween 3<\/p>\n

7. Don Henley In The Park<\/p>\n

8. Tom Thump<\/p>\n

9. Bouncy House<\/p>\n

10. All Insane<\/p>\n

11. Van Halen 2049<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Listen<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=”http:\/\/lightningbolt.bandcamp.com\/album\/sonic-citadel”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Sonic Citadel by Lightning Bolt&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;\/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; <\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

For more information about Lightning Bolt, please see the following web resources:<\/p>\n