Retox’s third album gets in and then out like a bandit in the night. The San Diego/L.A. punk band is ferocious and pissed off about big data, backstabbing, societal fucked-upness, death, the apocalypse. They convey their rage through brief songs (mostly under two minutes) featuring Justin Pearson’s furious scream-singing and noise riffs that dazzle while splitting an anvil over your head.
The guitars take the tunes beyond typical punk rock straightforwardness. The lead often takes flight away from blocky power chords and toward swirling, anxious noise rock. The charging Disappointing Grade plays with time signatures while still maintaining a catchy groove. Final song Strong Wrong Opinion gets doomier than they ever have been. They simplified on their last album, but go for stylistic playfulness on this one.
The four members have spent time in countless other projects – the Locust, Head Wound City, All Leather, Swing Kids, Kill the Capulets, etc – but with Retox they deliver an intensity and focus few bands could maintain for a 12-song album, let alone a three-album career.
Top track: Let’s Not Keep In Touch
Retox play the Cave on February 25.
