Make Believe Becomes Real Life

Liars “Drop Dead”

Of all the albums that I have heard in 2010, Liars’ Sisterworld has my favorite guitar tone. It varies somewhat from track to track, but there is a consistent quality to the sound — greyish and sinister, with a harsh attack and a brittle decay. The fast, heavy parts are violent and urgent, an idealized version of the kind of punk rock that feels like being chased around by maniacs. The more quiet parts unfold like horror soundtracks, with grim, winding melodies that build up a genuine suspense from note to note. I am not savvy enough to hazard a guess as to exactly how they achieved this sound — alternate tunings? highly specific uses of amplifiers and microphones? vintage equipment? — but the execution is incredible and extremely evocative. In many ways Sisterworld reminds me of Sonic Youth’s early albums, and the way they delivered a similar balance of punk aggression and intricate melodies with distinctive tones and creepy ambiance. “Drop Dead” is an especially Sonic Youth-ish track, particularly in the way the arpeggiated notes ring out like bells distorted by old VHS tape, and the attack on the riff seems to slash at the speakers in reverse and slow motion. The instruments are presented with a fair amount of clarity, but just enough abstraction to seem eerie and otherworldly.

Buy it from Amazon. You are a fool if you buy this in any format aside from the deluxe vinyl package, and this is why.