Panthers

It?s seemingly impossible to orchestrate a complete refinement in a band's sound these days. Fortunately, Panthers have returned from the sprawling highs of their 2004 LP Things Are Strange with a follow up record so concisely intense it demands attention from all areas, from jaded riff-rock devotees to the most indifferent pop listener and everyone in between.

Recorded in 2006 by renowned producer and engineer Steve Revitte (Liars, Beastie Boys, Black Dice), The Trick is the third full length offering from this Brooklyn-based quartet and their second on Vice. Comprised of vocalist Jayson Green, bassist Geoff Garlock, drummer Jeff Salane (all formerly of Orchid), and guitarist Justin Chearno (Turing Machine, Pitchblende), it?s obvious that their long and storied pedigree has paid off with the experience and depth presented on this record as ten tracks of calculated abandon.

Eschewing the format of their previous work, the band sets their new tone early on The Trick with the first track "Goblin City," a red-eyed, blistering rager clocking in at just under 3 minutes. Not to be outdone, the melee continues immediately with the next banger. Drummer Jeff Salane starts off "Listen To Me" with a few counts here, a tumultuous fill there, and the rest of the band follows with a descending wall of sound dictating the onslaught to come. Likewise, album closer "The Impeccableness" continues the process by building on a singular riff that with each passing adopts new textures and forms growing in ferocity while Jayson Green vocalizes the overwhelming sentiments: "Where do we look for inspiration/ when everything seems so cheap?" Get the picture? Panthers are going for the jugular. We could liken the highly concentrated sonic assault on The Trick to something akin to The Jesus Lizard mainlining the riffs of the Asheton brothers, but even that might be an understatement. From start to finish, The Trick is a tour de force concentrated into 32 minutes that needs little introduction to be completely captivating.