INDIAN HANDCRAFTS play the Horseshoe on Friday (November 2). See listing. Rating: NNNN
When Barrie’s Indian Handcrafts self-released their debut album last year, critics couldn’t stop comparing them to the Melvins. That must not have bothered the band. Their sophomore album is not only heavily influenced by the veteran stoner rockers, but also features their two drummers, Dale Crover and Coady Willis, and their go-to producer, Toshi Kasai.
But while the influence is strong, it’s not detrimental. Those put off by the Melvins’ defiant experimentalism and oddball humour should be satisfied by Civil Disobedience For Losers, which skirts those fan-taunting tendencies. Instead, the duo stick to what their heroes do best: piles of sludgy, heavy riffs and fist-bump-friendly hooks. Their method is simple and their personnel limited, yet they still throw in plenty of headphone-friendly psychedelia and jittery vocals.
They also keep the methodically paced down-tuned guitars front and centre – where they should be.
Top track: The Jerk
