X27 Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
All too often, artists who gave us promising debut albums have run out of creative steam by the time they released a second album. That "promising debut/disappointing follow-up" syndrome is known as "the sophomore curse" or "the sophomore slump," and it is not uncommon in the music world. Thankfully, X27 dodges that bullet on their second full-length album, Antilove, which not only lives up to the potential they showed on their previous full-length album, Your Neu Favourite Band, but is actually a bit stronger. Antilove was engineered in Chicago by Steve Albini, an alternative rock heavyweight whose long résumé includes Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey, Neurosis, and countless others, and he clearly understands what makes X27 tick. The Chicago-based trio (whose Antilove lineup consists of lead singer/bassist Carmen X, lead singer/guitarist Rikkeh, and drummer/keyboardist Massey) is known for having a distorted, noisy, jagged, punky, hard-rocking approach to alternative rock, but X27 is also known for being infectious, accessible, and hooky; Albini obviously appreciates what this group is about, and he serves them well on memorable tracks such as "Luna," "Come on Down," "Inside-Out World," and "Brainless Mind." By CD standards, Antilove is not very generous; the disc clocks in at a mere 33 minutes. But while quantity is important, quality is a lot more important; 33 minutes of quality is certainly preferable to 70 or 80 minutes of mediocrity, and quality is something that Albini helps X27 achieve on this engaging sophomore disc. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Your Neu Favourite Band'
Release Date 5/20/2003
Tracks 12
Label Narnack
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
None of X27's members were alive in 1931, but they get their name from Marlene Dietrich's character in the 1931 film Dishonored (which starred the German actress/singer as an Austrian prostitute turned spy -- Agent X27 was the character's code name). However, the Chicago-based trio's debut album, Your Neu Favourite Band, doesn't sound anything like the cabaret and traditional pre-rock/pop that Dietrich performed; this trio's specialty is a jagged, noisy, distorted, very punk-minded style of alternative rock. X27's sound -- arguably a combination of Sonic Youth, Lydia Lunch, Teenage Jesus & the Jerks and various no-wave artists of the '80s -- is definitely on the discordant side. But for all their distortion, X27 bring a strong sense of groove to this 2003 release. They bring the noise (to borrow a phrase from Public Enemy), but they also realize the value of a strong hook. In fact, tracks like "Me," "Fast Getaway," and "Asthmatic" are immediately infectious; while X27 are rough and abrasive, they aren't inaccessible. Your Neu Favourite Band favors the sort of male/female vocal juxtaposition that worked well for punk/post-punk combo X in the early '80s -- bassist Exene Cervenka is the female lead singer, while guitarist John Doe is the male lead singer. And whether Cervenka or Doe is singing, unapologetic rawness prevails. By 2003 standards, Your Neu Favourite Band isn't groundbreaking -- anyone who was heavily into punk, no-wave and alternative rock back in the '80s will hear this CD and say, "been there, done that." But if Your Neu Favourite Band is derivative, it is enjoyably derivative -- and X27's members are obviously having a good time on this noteworthy debut. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
