New Radiant Storm King
(Darla)
It's a begrudging thing to tuck a group into the padded envelope labeled "Cult Bands". But there is no better rubric with which to drop New Radiant Storm King under. They've been rumbling along for almost 20 years now to the delight of their hardcore fans and to the general disregard of the musical intelligentsia.
This is not to disparage the band, as they've also managed to maintain their place as one of the most consistent groups to come out of the crowded alternative rock scene of the early '90s. This new album fits well into the band's tidy discography, shimmering with spacey guitar lines while remaining tethered to Earth by their unrelenting rhythm section (the only members that have not been with NRSK since their inception in 1990).
What is amazing about this album is how it gathers strength as it goes on. The first few songs feel skittish and hurried - particularly the hyperactive tempo of "Senseless". But by the time they reach the halfway mark with the dreamy instrumental "New Paltz Waltz", the band has sharpened its attack. Even the lighter, slower numbers feel more full and purposeful, combining their influences of '60s pop and the bands from the '80s Paisley Underground movement.
Standout Tracks: "New Paltz Waltz," "Midnight Comes," "Senseless" ROBERT HAM
