by René Cobar (@renefcobar)
Garage-punk bands will never die: these groups are always far too nested in the corners of every music scene, and their influence on the same is palpable. Case in point: Sudbury, Ontario’s Strange Attractor and their latest record, Good Boy Bad Boy, an album loud enough to get the region noticed. The new album is a sonic marathon not for the faint of heart; it uses its instrumental turbulence to make powerful statements about whatever is on their minds. This sprint begins with "I Wanna Be You," an energetic track drenched with sarcasm that flips the bird at critics and glam rock stars (as punks should). With thorny guitar flourishes and machine-gun-like drum fills, it kicks things off right.
There is no rust in tracks like "Nature Man" and "Dog Walker," despite the group's eight-year absence from recording new music. Both songs easily transition from ominous tempos and chords to frenetic solos and anthemic refrains suited for a megaphone. The latter track has a rabid dog accompanying the composition for an extra touch of madness. At the core of these songs are excellent bass lines with a thickness to them: dare one say, they're occasionally syrupy enough for dancing. "It's A Girl" is a prime example, as the low end keeps you swaying while distorted guitars play away a twisted '60s diner bop. The surfy tinge to the track may have you doing the swim or some devilish version of it.
Just as you'd like to get lost in that mood, the record continues with songs like "Chilaquiles," which jam fiercely, showcasing snaking guitar leads and explosive cymbal hits. As an instrumental track, it is the perfect transition into "I Always Get What I Want," which aims to jolt you into action with its lyrics. "Wake up, get out of bed, wash your face, have a smoke / Time to hustle, time to hustle, show me you've got something to prove," cuts through the noise with vocal authority reminiscent of songs such as "Guerilla Radio" by Rage Against The Machine. You can feel the group's collective strength and familiarity in the songs where vocals feature prominently.
Jeff Houle, the sole member of Strange Attractor, is comfortable back at the helm of the act and shows it as he syncs with Eamon Sandwith of The Chats for the furious track "Warm Piss." A 48-second debauchery of a song that is a standout of the record for its cheeky nature. "I Hate Downtown" marches on with choruses powered by screeching guitar licks and subtle tempo changes that show the band's skill and grit. The record ends with a jam outro that sustains the pace, keeps the intensity, and dares you to play the album again.
If Houle and Strange Attractor have been away for some time, you would not know it: garage-punk groups exert a force that is harnessed through countless hours. In the case of Good Boy Bad Boy, it fires off in bursts that are hard to ignore and keep the band's genre on the map.