[AlbumOTD] Laundry For The Apocalypse - LAUNDRY FOR THE APOCALYPSE

Artist: Laundry For The Apocalypse

Genre: Rock

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas, US

Label Type: Indie

Record Label: Mostar Records

Website: http://www.laundryfortheapocalypse.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LfortheA

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LAUNDRYFORTHEAPOCALYPSE

It is now coming to the end of 2012 meaning that the end of the world is nigh, and I’m sure you want to go out in your best dressed. Sooo, who you gunna call? That’s right, Laundry For The Apocalypse! This unique five-piece (starring four magnificent beards and a clean-shaven bassist) are the latest sensation to come out of the ever-evolving UK indie label, Mostar Records. Hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas they come complete with their debut eponymous album destined to send shockwaves through the East Coast and beyond.

The band describes their genre as ‘not metal’, putting straight to bed the idea as presumably suggested by their name. Other self-proclaimed sub-genres also include zydekill and gulch rock…I’ll leave you make your own mind up on what that entails. On the basis of their 10-track debut record  they would generally be bracketed into the indie rock genre.

The record is a unique and wonderfully eclectic mix of all instruments old and new, demonstrated on the opening track ‘Hellven’ as well as ‘Fam’ among others with both tracks incorporating both brass and wind instruments. ‘Hellven’ also shares similarities with another track appearing later in the album, ‘No Despair’ in that they both start off with a sense of anticipation before erupting into a hard rock extravaganza.

The keys are a refreshing feature on stand-out track, ‘Sad Today’ which has a surprisingly upbeat, jolly feel to it not in line with the lyrics, almost coming across as a display of apathy. Musically though it is stupendous! It’s more infectious than the common cold combining spectacular exploits of both brass and the aforementioned keys.  

Another highlight is the magnificently named ‘Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2’, which not only is appropriate as we await the fast-approaching holiday season, but also resulted in lead singer, Aaron Sarlo interviewing the American rock superstar whom the song was named after. However the track sounds more influenced by Andrew W.K. than anything else.

Each of the band members brings their own flavour into this melting pot of ingredients,  from Sarlo’s majestic frontman skills, to the pulsating drumming of Drew Wilkerson, fluid bass of Matt Rice, extraordinary exhibition of brass and wind provided by John David Hilliard, and the dynamic percussion of Adrian Brigman. This is evident none more so than on instrumental track, ‘Ka Blinka’. Along with the penultimate track on the album, ‘Carnal’, this song in particular highlights the quality which oozes out of this creative and talented bunch.

Overall, the record brings rock music back to the good old days exhibiting hints of certain Oasis vocal traits (whiny parts aside), particularly on ‘No Despair’, ‘Mt’ and ‘S. Palindrone’. I like to think this is their attempt to help culture those across the Atlantic Ocean with the influence of the best in British indie rock.

The album is just a month into its release, so instead of heading down your nearest laundrette, kill two birds with one stone by popping down to Laundry For The Apocalypse. Get your clobber cleaned and pick up a copy of this banger of a debut album. You can purchase and check out samples of the album here.

Matthew Evans