Detachment Kit
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Title: Of This Blood Label: Frenchkiss Purchase at: Interpunk Purchase at: Amazon
Perhaps the greatest factor of existing on a prosperous independent label, and working and living within the top tier of independent rock music, is that artists control much of how their record will look in terms of art design, manufacturing, recording and of course the end product: the album itself. I KNOW for a fact that many of you, just at the sight of the name of this band, (Detachment Kit) have already dismissed this review and have headed onto greener pastures; or maybe you’ve just thumbed a few pages back to check out that tasty Metal Blade advertisement for Cattle Decapitation? However, for those of you who have braved this far into the paragraph: WELCOME ABOARD THE S.S. HEADS UP MOTHERFUCKERS! Let me address the obvious first: yes, the name of this band rings eerily true to the now defunct D.C. punk-funkers the Dismemberment Plan. It’s obvious; and if you’re wearing an And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead t-shirt right now as you’re reading this, you probably have either let this band slip under your radar due to the whole ‘similar-name shit,’ or you’ve embraced this album the way you used to hug your grandmother before you became to cool for unconditional love.
Originally from Chicago, Ian Menard and Charlie Davis are the creative core of Detachment Kit. Their second release, “Of This Blood” is not only devoid of everything that would constitute labeling an album with the dreaded sophomore slump tag; but it has definitely pushed the frayed envelope of indie rock albums in regards to the listeners interaction with the music. Amidst moments of thrashing guitars, “Skyscrapers,” hushed acoustic guitars and horns, “Night Of My Death,” and the full-on funkdified bass driven groove of “Pill Cake,” you find at the center of this album: a story. The CD sleeve folds out into a perplexing board game that relies on pennies, hitting random on the CD player, and whatever sort of chemicals or beverages you might have in mind in-between turns. The characters in “Of This Blood” are way too countless to name, plus I’m running out of space. Though I must say unto those who have stayed with me this far, beware of Queen Beaktapus! She’s captured a Siamese gingerbread man and it’s your job to save them…or it? For art rockers who don’t like to play ‘ring of fire’ or ‘asshole’ anymore when they’re hanging out with their art-rocking friends, then “Of This Blood” is definitely up yo’ muthafucking independent alley. And next time you’re at a family function, hug you’re fucking grandma like you love her this time. Unless she’s sitting in a pool of her own feces kept tightly wrapped to her body by a pair of depends. In that case a quick pat on the back should do.
Gordon Downs
