Hello hello! It’s been awhiiiile since I’ve penned a write-up for one of our album review episodes, but it’s a pleasure to return to the fold. In this episode, Connor and I ramble and sputter into the void about the latest LP, Rule 36, from some of our favorite noise rockers, Intercourse, who have become a household name here in our dingy dwelling.
With this new album comes a new line-up. Fresh are the guitarist and bassist, helmed by Sean and Pete, respectively; however, the bedrock of the quartet remains unshaken. Tarek continues to forge utterly batshit lyrical wizardry and Caleb stomps with leaden percussive rhythms.
Less present are the mathcore influences this time around—as heard on their prior LP, Everything is Pornography When You’ve Got an Imagination—and in their place, an undiluted strain of noise rock hammers. Corrosive blockades of blaring feedback and sibilant string notes slither through tracks. The grooves are meatier and there even persists intermittent splotches of an acrid atmosphere that effuses like a stifling must from a claustrophobic basement show. Each track is punctual too, with only one of nine piercing a three-minute runtime. Most interesting, however, may be the final two cuts of Rule 36. Although these frenzied diatribes fester in the aforementioned tones and timbres, they exude a palpably bleak mood that is felt through the synergy of the pared down instrumentation and sobering, introspective lyrics—especially in the album’s final track, “Pagliacci Was Ahead of His Time”. We cannot say for certain if the tones Intercourse tinkers with in these last couple of tunes will become a mainstay in future releases, but we found ourselves agreeing that this novel change in pace is one we would love to hear explored further.
Rule 36 is a twenty-minute cotton shot of deranged noise rock. It’s one Connor and I have been enjoying a whole hell of a lot. And though only twenty minutes in length, we ended up dissecting it for well over an hour. That being said, we sincerely hope you enjoy the tangents and weird exchanges contained herein. Thank you so much for your support!
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