by Kris Handel
Collection is the sophomore full length from Patio, offering a fresh and exciting expansion of their brittle post-punk by loosening the grooves and imparting a bit of dance and disco inspiration into the formula. They still retain their tight connection and anxious tension, but there is a bit more freedom and space to explore new directions and challenge themselves with a wider scope to their benefit. The new elements have truly allowed for more depth and exploration in song form, highlighting the creativity and playfulness of different time signatures and rhythms to play with. Lindsey Paige-McCloy and Loren Diblasi's vocals contrast and play off each other and the elasticity of the Diblasi and Alice Suh rhythm section creates a delightful foundation for Paige-McCloy's scratching and knifing guitar leads.
"Either Way" is a stuttering and jittery track that gives Paige-McCloy's guitar a little bit of space to flit around sturdy and crashing drums as reverberating vocals drive the chorus. Patio really show off their versatility here as the song switches between a wonderful melody interspersed with an intensity and driving force that can be quite surprising. "Sequence" is powered by Paige-McCloy's vocals, hitting higher registers and showing off her unique ability to play with diction. The track comes off as an off-kilter combination of Television and a jumpy bit of Deerhoof-esque post-punk. Patio are at their most intriguing yet bewildering point as everything makes musical sense but bounces between so many themes that clash on the surface, however the track is intensely rewarding, the risks pay off and more.
"The Sun" kicks in with a bobbing bass line from Diblasi as Suh’s drums scatter around and Paige-McCloy’s vocals intone and occasionally soar melodically before the classic Patio tension quickly arises. Suh’s drums churn and charge as guitar lines methodically chunk and chord away building pressure before coming to a pretty sudden stop as the vocals ring in the audiences ears. "Sixpence" bounces out of the speakers with Paige-McCloy's choppy vocals bringing a nervy approach as guitar interjections follow her voice amidst pulsing and insistent bass. The vocal play between Diblasi and Paige-McCloy is superb, adding a gravitas that is mesmerizing and intense, the differing approaches just add so much texture and playfulness that really lifts everything around it.
Patio continue to build an impressive resume of recordings and Collection pushes the group further and further into new musical horizons and the music world is the better for it. The growth that Patio show on this record should not be understated, the core elements remain but this recording shows a more evocative beast of a band. There is a level of passionate rage readily apparent and they spare little in their wake, the band continues to tease and prod the listener as this record clearly show, a rather invigorating experience. Patio once again prove themselves to be one of the more progressive indie/post-punk bands working the scene today and there is so much to dig into on this record that every listen is truly gratifying and special.