Hailing from Georgia, United States, and comprising veterans of the punk and hardcore scene, Arbor Labor Union’s sludgy dirge occasionally gives way to moments of unbridled motor-city-esque abandon that really work, only to be foiled by the curse of the never-ending riff.
Listening to the album, it’s not hard to imagine the bass player yelling, ‘Hey fellas, when does this one end?’
Is it all bad? Nope. But as a full-album experience, I Hear You is a relentless grind in need of a decent edit.
Yet, seen as a collection of songs that might randomly appear on a portable listening device, it might just work.
Arbor Labor Union
I Hear You
Sub Pop
• Two and a-half stars (out of five)
Single download: Mr Birdsong
For those who like: The Jesus Lizard, Sonic Youth, HDU
- Mark Orton
