ALBUM REVIEW: Bass Drum of Death – Rip This

Innovative Leisure

Released: 3.11.14

3/5

The third album from Mississippi duo Bass Drum Of Death delivers another chunk of quick-fire party hits. Their simple formula of guitar, drums and plenty of shouting with backing vocals demonstrates a more punk rock leaning. While the songwriting itself hasn’t depleted in anyway, their departure from scuzzy lo-fi garage production makes the whole thing fall short of the mark. It’s a much more polished vehicle, with crisp, punchy drums, less guitar fuzz and legible vocals, with some tracks sounding too accomplished to recreate the garage charm of their predecessors. That said, the chemistry between Barrett and Clark is still evident in the energy throughout, and short acoustic numbers like Better Days show the band’s ability to surprise and prove they’re more than just a garage band.