Weak Signal absolutely ignites on Bianca, which is released on vinyl today through Colonel Records.
Originally available last year briefly as an unmastered Bandcamp-only release, Bianca is the power trio (led by Mike Bones) grittier than ever and cranked up loud.
The album features snarling buzzsaw guitar cutting across growling bass lines and the most primal drumming that’s been heard since Moe Tucker’s heyday. Meanwhile, the vocals of Bones, Tran (the bassist) and guest Ryan Sawyer (of At The Drive In) remain very reserved and even harmonize beautifully, despite how hard the band rocks out. This mellow vocal delivery assists in making all of the songs on the album exude with an utter coolness.
The band keeps the tracks bare and minimal, sort of like a more proficient Beat Happening, but the production makes their sound feel BIG. Just listen to the bass intro of the killer opening number, “I’m a Fire.” With the right kind of sound system, you can actually feel Tran’s notes rattling through your bones. Meanwhile, throughout the rest album, the guitar and drums are mixed so loudly, you’d swear Weak Signal was a band twice its size.
There are so many highlights, it would be impossible to cover them all here, but the chugging riffs and wry humor of “Drugs in My System” and the razor sharp pop stylings of songs like “Sorry” and “Come Back” definitely stand out. Getting to hear the dreamier and more somber side of the band creep in on tracks like “Too Strong” and “I’ll Stay” is another special treat, as Weak Signal absolutely nails those moods and atmospheres, too.
Fans of Sonic Youth, The Warlocks and the good ol’Velvet Underground would surely find themselves obsessed with this record. Click here to get your copy today.
-KH
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