The Lovekill - These Moments Are Momentum

The Lovekill
These Moments Are Momentum
Astro Magnetics Records/ Eyeball Records
Grade: A-

Thank God that bands like the Lovekill are still punching out splendidly crafted, catchy post-punk. The four-piece of the Lovekill – Chris Rager, Jonah Bayer, Carla Cherry, Craig Ramsey – are actually oddly situated in Cleveland to produce this distinctive northeastern corridor/Chicago-area sound. Yet, when you peel under the cover just a tad, you uncover the information that connects all the dots. First and generally less monumental is that These Moments Are Momentum is being released on Thursday’s Geoff Rickly’s label Astro Magnetics (along with Alex Saavedra and Marc Debiak), which is firmly situated in New Jersey. Second and this time the most important, the current heavyweight champion of uber-brilliant post-punk/hardcore guitar riffs produced and contributed to the record – Stephen Pedersen (Criteria, ex-White Octave, ex-Cursive). Even though the Lovekill are entirely their own beast, Pedersen’s hand has molested everything here, including providing legal representation for the Loverkill (Pedersen is a lawyer by trade). Recording in both Pedersen basement in Omaha and Presto! Studios under the deft hand of AJ Mogis, and thus a thick Saddle Creek connection, the ten songs on These Moments are rife with the best guitar-driven post-punk seen in 2006. You’re first introduced to the urgency of the opener “Palms and Gin” with frantic guitars and Rager’s distinctive yelling/shouting vocals. A strong enticement indeed, but the best comes on the follower “The Refrain of the AM.” Beginning ordinary enough, “The Refrain of the AM” slides into a perfectly orchestrated screaming high guitars and vocals, and draws you in as a devoted follower. Pedersen’s love probably is ripest on “The Refrain of the AM.” The similar-minded “Sleepover” follows with more breakdowns, while you have to wait to the end third of “Heart Wires” to feel the magic. “Complicated Sighs” draws you in with Sonic Youthy guitars, but leaves them behind for more ordinary fare. These Moments Are Momentum closes on the brilliant “Years,” and its near perfect building guitar section a minute in, and the wildly shifting “Land Time.” Several songs simply hold down the fort for the Lovekill including “Ride On, Miner,” the title track, and “Nothing Yet.” The Lovekill and Pedersen together – a match made in heaven.