tolchock trio
hello bird
( {exumbrella} ) 2004

Tolchock trio - olde english for "big sound from three young men" (it's actually a Clockwork Orange reference, right Joy?) - have 2 albums carved out of the finest Russian butter, and hello bird is their first. Originally released on red triangle records, and later added as the initial release on {exumbrella}, this album continues to amaze me as does it's follow-up Ghosts Don't Have Bones.

Songs can begin in a somewhat standard pattern by suit & tie listings (I'm hearing "waltz"), but come the appropriate time to end the damn thing, the trio absolutely destroy it.. . this is a seriously common issue with tolchock - and I fucking adore it ("gold flax" follows suit). Tape reels begins to sound like they're a year late on servicing, instruments are transforming to nests of fuzz and, at this very moment, Cobain would be on top of Grohl's drumset. Then, as a furious fit of betrayal hits, trio drummer Dan Thomas reappears and leads the other 2 parts tolchock (Oliver Lewis, Ryan Fedor) into another minute of exquisite ramble that paints the blood red splotch on "waltz"'s exclamation. Thomas is a damn fine drummer, tops in a mess of many indie wishers, a statement backed up on hello bird. Further examination into the destructive side of T3 finds the 10+ minute true rock of "gotta disaster" - shit gets technical around 7:30-mark and beats itself to a grizzly, static death.

Then there's the gentle facade of these three, on a gem like "The Estate Of Frank O ' Hara". On every Brian Jonestown Massacre release, there may be that one track that beams like a stunner we all know Anton Alfred Newcombe is capable of (think "Let's Pretend It's Summer" from Strung Out in Heaven) - that's what "The Estate Of Frank O ' Hara" is on hello bird. Am I saying tolchock trio sound like BJM? Not directly, but in a "whatever - starfucker" kinda way. The grand fact is Utah's tolchock trio can keep you guessing and enthralled at equal moments - things are pushed to the limits in mixing that simply amaze me. This band turns what could be basement-band common noise into Jell-O™ Pudding Pops and shoves 'em in your ass - stick first.

This is where it all began for bog and all his holy angels and saints, with Ghosts Don't Have Bones as the solid second offering (that has her review coming too). Seek both.

FYI: when asked what kind of music tolchock trio is, the answer is usually 'rock music'.

:k :: (Novemba' 05)