Sticking to your guns is an admirable trait in the music business. With a never ending, winding highway of trends going around at autobahn speed, it’s so easy to jump on the ‘current thing’ and make a buck. For longevities sake though, Alexis Brown has pursued her vision of what Straight Line Stitch is and should be. Being the longest tenured member, she’s been the screaming/singing voice of the Knoxville outfit debuting on 2006’s To Be Godlike appearing on two records and two more EP’s leading to this year’s Transparency.
Beginning with the eerie piano keyed atmospheric intro of “Out of the Shadows.” Sounding like it came from the darkest corners of an Evanescence video. Brown’s steel cable lunged growl hits immediately introducing “Dark Matter.” She takes turns between sweet melodic lines and growl rooted screeching like dueling personalities trying to get more words in. “Out of Body” swims and weaves through melodic guitars and piano with Brown singing the part of an enchanting ‘imperfect’ Cinderella.
The fast paced drums, guitars and yelling attacks on “Wilderness” dissipates to mid-tune calm and atmospheric guitar highs. Disk finisher “Human Bondage” wraps its tongue around you like a dangerous but safe restraint though you’re not sure if and when it’ll tighten.
SLS takes stylistic ingredients from peers like Eyes Set to Kill and Butcher Babies weaving them into their own concoction and cauldron of road warrior ethos.
Available June 30th on Pavement Records
