by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Considering the fact that Chicago’s Bursting features members of Yautja, Stress Positions, Thou, Coliseum, and Ands (among many others), it’s fair to have expectations in terms of quality. The good news is that beyond having pedigree for days, any expectations are blown away as the band eschew the sound of their better known projects to dig into the dexterous world of raw and serrated 90’s post-hardcore… and they’ve absolutely nailed it. With influences that include Jawbox, Shiner, and Drive Like Jehu (perhaps a bit of Quicksand too), the quartet are impossibly locked in, their ever shifting rhythms and tangled guitars sound utterly colossal throughout the Bursting EP, their upcoming debut due out December 6th via No Sabes (My Wall, Animaleja, Maanta Raay). Recorded with Matt Russell and mastered by Amar Lal, there’s a high production sound to the record, giving perfect clarity to their contorting structures and pummeling shifts. There’s a lot to take in, but Bursting make it easy.
“Just Ghosts” is the record’s first single, an immersive song that feels tightly knotted, drifting one moment but forever progressing into the next. Bursting - Tyler Coburn, Kortland Chase, Kayhan Vaziri, and Ben Rudolph - have an impressive sense of control as they tear from moment to the next, rarely sitting still while still retaining a sense of melodic accessibility. It’s forceful and rhythmically dazzling but not without it’s discordant hooks. “Just Ghosts” comes in pounding like a detached stampede (courtesy of Yautja’s rhythm section, and yet nothing like Yautja), the energy spiked and mangled with enough sharp turns to make you dizzy even as the vocal melody does it’s best to keep your calm. Give it a listen. Pre-order the EP. Go see them live.
Upcoming Shows:
12/6 - St Louis, MO @ Moshmellow w/ My Wall & The Conformists
12/7 - Louisville, KY @ Mag Bar w/ Shitfire & Aon Brasi
12/8 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement w/ My Wall & Angels of Death