Blood on the Wall
Issue #35
Liferz (Social Registry)
By Anne Johnson
Published: March 1st, 2008 | 2:46pm
In most reviews of Blood on the Wall, there is usually some mention (and high praise) for how this Brooklyn trio is an unabashed imitation of its influences, which are usually listed as Sonic Youth, X, the Pixies, and other indie luminaries from late ’80s and early ’90s. And yes, that is a perfect way to describe Blood on the Wall, but this will not necessarily be a selling point for everyone, especially those that are starved for innovation.
Liferz is Blood on the Wall’s third full-length, following up 2005’s very well-received Awesomer, and by now they have most certainly perfected their pseudo heroin-injected boogie and the requisite soft-loud-softs. But, truth be told, many of the songs are just plain dull. The title track barely even registers a pulse and “Acid Fight” is a torturous and pointless five-minute epoch. Sibling vocalists Brad and Courtney Shanks have fairly impressive vocal chops, particularly Courtney, which serve the material well and add some thrills (“Turn Around and Shut Up”). Unfortunately, Blood on the Wall is so deliberate they present a mannered portrayal or a parody of the oh-so-loose image they are going for.
If Blood on the Wall’s proud throwback stance is enough for some listeners, so be it. If you are among those who never quite understood the usefulness of bands such as the Kills, and were around for the first coming of Blood on the Wall’s forebears (many of whom, it could absolutely be argued, were throwbacks themselves), it is still possible to appreciate this group, but you will probably be better off just listening to Pussy Galore instead.
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