2 keepers
keeper avg .181
Root for Ruin is Les Savy Fav's last album to date, and ranges from the harsh and angular emo punk of Fugazi and Gang Of Four to the poppy punk of these bands' followers. Album opening “Appetites”, the scream-y “Excess Energies”, and the comically herky-jerky staccatto riffs of “Dear Crutches” cover the former, presumably for the established fans. The hard rock spy movie riff gives “Dirty Knails” an 80's vibe. While not necessarily an influence, there isn't much that separates “Lips n' Stuff", "High and Unhinged”, and “Calm Down” from the accessible classic rock / punk hybrid sound of Foo Fighters.
The driving but slightly atmospheric “Sleepless in Silverlake” is on the maximum accessibility end, full of ringing guitar arpeggios. While a pretty great tune, “Let's Get Out of Here”**** shares about half a song with Pixies' "Velouria" (1990). But speaking of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer For Some Reason Foo Fighters, the menacing “Clear Spirits”***** certainly owes a debt to stomping "My Hero" (1997), and closes the album with a wallop. In general, the only total throwaways on the album are the somewhat annoying “Dear Crutches” and the one chord vamp filler-track “Poltergeist." Though Tim Harrington isn't a tremendously distinctive vocalist, I hear he's much more interesting live, while guitarists Seth Jabour and Andrew Reuland provide interesting musical textures, usually in the form of slashing chords and heavily delayed leads.
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