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Album reviews Music

Soupcans

Soupcans – Soft Party

Toronto’s Soupcans don’t seem interested in following the rules of garage punk, yet that still seems a better descriptor than noise rock. No matter how out-there and abstract they get, their streak of bratty, knuckleheaded abandon overpowers any sensitive experimental tendencies. Sometimes that brings them to the brink of silly, which works as a counterpoint to their more abrasive side.

The album boasts a consistently warm and fuzzed-out feel, finding a balance between lo-fi and properly mastered. There’s a debt to hardcore and early UK punk, but also to Captain Beefheart, the Cramps, the Fall and Black Sabbath. Rather than conforming to any of those influences, they combine them into their own mangled deconstruction of rock ‘n’ roll.

It all sounds a bit demented and unhinged, and a sense of manic fun permeates every skronky chord and yelping vocal. Not for those who prefer their punk serious, angry and political.

Top track: Razor Face

Soupcans throw a record release party at Cinecycle on December 5.

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