Antietam was and always has been one of the most creatively adventurous, boldly unique and straight-up electrifying acts to come out of the 80’s NYC underground rock scene. On The Counting Game, their first proper full-length record since 2017, they’re continuing to bless our ears with their distinctive and ever progressing sound, blurring the boundaries between genres and styles in several artful and ear-catching ways. This transfixing new LP proves the band still draws from a bottomless well of deep inspiration.
Guitarist and vocalist Tara Key, bassist Tim Harris, and drummer Josh Madell expand the scope of their sonic world on this record by incorporating cello and violin, atmospheric brass and banjo, with the help of guests like Katie Gentile, Tara Jane O’Neil, Steve Cooley and even Josh Madell’s daughter, Trixie Madell. The vibes on this album is a particular blend of folk rock, power and baroque pop, and loose guitar-driven experimentalism with a punk ethos and an improvisatory spirit.
Yet what’s most impressive on this record, is how the band sounds so incredibly fresh, tight and further evolved, while still maintaining the same eclectic and fearless spirit that’s been fueling the group’s engine since their very first release. From their 1984 debut at CBGB to their appearance at the legendary 2008 Terrastock festival to this very minute, Antietam has not bowed to trends, given in to gimmicks nor lost sight of their artistic vision. As you’ll hear on this album, this is a band that knows itself, in all of its various different shades and moods, and they are far from finished yet.
Click here to get your copy on CD, digital or vinyl from Dromedary today.
-KH
