by Kris Handel (@khandel84)
You’re Weird Now, the latest (and sixth) full length album in Guerilla Toss’ dozen-something year existence, finds the band in an entirely different and equally complex mode of existence. GT’s early years were often driven by chaotic live experiences that mirrored their fractured and tangled early music and, in some cases, other personal circumstances. But here we have a band that has lost none of their bite while evolving with each passing year and record. You’re Weird Now has the band in a playful mood and spirit of fully embracing your whole self no matter how ‘different’ or other you feel by keeping yourself grounded in acceptance and caring for yourself and the community around you. This record has many twists and turns and important questions to pose, as well as amusing literary and cultural references, but the band is in full force and these songs will not be overpowered by anything due to the awe-inspiring art of Guerilla Toss.
“Krystall Ball” starts the record off with Kassie Carlson’s smoky-hushed vocals snottily spit out fun and energetic verses before a funky keyboard line and Arian Shaifee’s guitar come in with a funk-inspired approach. This track fuses an other-worldly electroclash base with a punky spirit that wholly encompasses the far reaching musical mélange Guerilla Toss still manage to pull off with innovation and verve. “Panglossian Mannequin” is a a punky Candide-referencing jolt that explodes with crunching guitar chords and rolling drum fills as Carlson alternates between a dusky detached groan and chirping yowls. Synths flitter in and out of the sonic explosions that give way to a pulsing rhythm and chunking guitar line before a wild keyboard break recalling mid-80s electro-pop (think Thomas Dolby/Deee-lite) burbles as Peter Negroponte’s bounce is insistently grooving.
“CEO of Personal & Pleasure” continues the theme of letting go over hang-ups and indulging in taking time out for a deep breathe and diving in to what makes one enjoy life. Here, Guerilla Toss tackle the pressure of meeting expectations with balancing finding space to not push yourself to burn out. Whinnying keys and synths play as Negroponte lays down a fluid rhythm that surges and collapses delightfully. “Life’s a Zoo” has the band breaking down into a fluttering psychedelia-touched electronic maelstrom, as Carlson is joined on backing vocals by Stephen Malkmus as they chant and intone along with the pulsing electronics. Carlson’s vocals are ever changing here as they can aggressively charge ahead in shouted chants or tone down slightly and hover in the ether as an alluring siren while the skittering backing erupts and dissipates one moment to the next.
With You’re Weird Now, Guerilla Toss continue to fine tune their mix of psych exploration and approachable pop melodies, dynamically embracing a more focused and engaged production. Guerilla Toss refuse to stop exploring musically as they continue to calibrate their mix of dance-filled grooves with rubbery funk and post-punk that somehow works ever so cohesively. Their No/New Wave instincts still come to the fore, but there has been a maturation in both songwriting and overall musical approach as the years have passed. They are still capable of levelling a massively forceful slap to the face as a wake up call, but the edges are a little softer and more approachable. Guerilla Toss have developed into a band that still has so much to say with their shifting musical world. Be it touching on cultural matters of importance or literary references, You’re Weird Now is full of open and passionate joy that leaves a trail of surprises for their continually growing audience.