by Kris Handel
Process, the sophomore record from Australian punk quartet Pinch Points, shows the band have a caustic take on the modern world and its many ongoing societal issues, amongst many other topics. The band’s sound has become a little more developed and although there is a strain of anxiety and anger that runs through everything here, there is also an excitement that is equally pervasive. The alternating (and mostly shouted) vocals of Acacia Coates, Isabella Orsini and Adam Smith are compelling, drawing the listener’s attention at every word while the clanging riffs and driving rhythm section of Coates and Orsini pummels away at your senses. The drive and willingness to engage on divisive and tough topics is quite admirable and the band tackles the issues addressed with a sense of compassion that is truly engaging in the best of ways.
"Reasons To Be Anxious" starts the record off in a raucous and hard charging manner that combines Coates’ yelped vocals with Smith's half laconic-half pissed off vocal delivery pushing each other further into chaos. Here the band tackles the modern social climate of the world and the issues being bombarded with news and consumerism present over Orsini's rapid drumf ills while Smith and Jordan Oakley provide stuttering chords bouncing off each other. "Copper" tackles issues with the abusive actions of authority and pervasive attitude of such in numerous ways in an intricate and endlessly entertaining manner with a bit of a twangy-punk sway. The anger is palpable and the band is relentless in every way while tackling an issue that is frankly necessary.
"Am I Okay?" is a bit of empathic encouragement emphasizing putting your needs to the fore instead of succumbing to feelings of being overwhelmed by the world around you as Coates and Smith forcefully suggest. The guitars churn out chords and chiming alternating riffs as Coates' bass winds itself around them and the shifting tempos, allowing the band to maximize emotional impact. "Capital" highlights the overload of information and greed that finds insidious ways into life and a drive towards success and money at the expense of everything else. The track has a little bit of a Minutemen feel and approach to it with winding bass and fairly intricate drumming amid the interjection of jagged guitar and peak vocals mixed with anthemic shouts that work quite well.
Process is an album that says a lot in a small amount of time yet miraculously never gets bogged down or too heavy of a listen while delivering maximum impact of its stances. Pinch Points know how to get their point across while creating an atmosphere that exudes energy and encourages the work needed to make things our daily lives better. Coates and Smith’s contrasting vocals add a color and life that meshes with the intensity of their songwriting. When all is said and done, this record has a force about it that shows Pinch Points are unafraid to take a stance and hold true to their convictions. The band have created a piece of jagged and fractured art that deserves all the recognition it can get.