Twin Peaks’ sound has refined itself over the course of six albums in six years – a hefty sum for a group of young punks. What started as scattered garage rock, Twin Peaks now sounds like a hybrid of 60s jam bands and modern alternative. Their present sound is rooted in the past’s intensity. The stylings of their latest album “Lookout Low” are reminiscent of a golden age of rock Gods. Then I remember this album dropped just two weeks ago.
“Dance Through It” and “Ferry Song” were the leading singles proceeding the album’s release, but the true gem of the record is the dizzying track “Oh Mama”. In the music video, enthused young partiers wear comically demonic heads in a house party, raising florescent glasses in cheers and spinning under other-worldly blue light. The song itself induces a feeling comparable to spinning in mindless circles with a stupid grin on your face… it’s wicked fun. At the song’s crescendo, I anticipate the moans of Robert Plant at the but am met with an alternative – Twin Peaks at their best.
The album’s finale, Sunken II is reminiscent of rock in a from a separate iconic perspective. The style teases nods to rock opera and concept albums of the 70s. Sunken refers to the band’s first studio album, composed shortly after their collective dropping out of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and named for the Chicago park they used to drink in as teens. Sunken II features a hazily droning lyrics, not unlike the musings of Roger Waters’ theatrical psychosis in Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”.
I’m going to my second Twin Peaks show on Halloween this year and you can imagine my excitement. Driving all the way to St. Louis is well worth it.
HAVOC MUSIC 