THROAT

I think I have a sore one

Little Women, which has no association with the popular children's novel by Louisa May Alcott, is a new noisecore/jazznoise/grindjazz/*insert other noise related sub-genre* band, composed of two saxophonists, a guitarist, and a drummer. In most cases, I would be ecstatic about listening to a wind-heavy prog band, even if they are classified as avant, as oftentimes the dynamic lent to a wind-oriented rock band can be truly magnificent. However, when I entered the land of Little Women, I encountered quite a different experience. The New York-based quintet released their debut album, Throat, a 41 minute long piece with seven movements (if you can call them that) in 2010, and let me say this album is truly abrasive.

The quintet's style can be described more accurately as noise than music, and although I'm no fan of the so called "noise music" phenomenon (I know a few people who will balk at that statement), this... this noise is just dissonant garbage - two sax men noodling around blindly while a guitarist plays the most random chords he can come with and the drummer spazes on his kit. There is no true melody to this album, despite the melodic nature of a saxophone. There is no true rhythm to this album, despite the rhythmic nature of a percussion instrument. This album is truly devoid of anything that anyone has ever called music (maybe except the noise-heads).

There is a very definitive line in the genre of avant garde music. On one side of the line, there is an incredible beauty to the "oddity" of the avant genre - bands such Kayo Dot, Samla Mammas Manna, and even Magma are perfect examples of this. On the other side of the line, there are the bands that have made it their lot to make the weirdest, most discordant, dissonant (the bad kind of dissonance), and horrid music I've heard in my life. I can easily say that Little Women has crossed that line and hasn't stopped delving into that "other side."

Although some may say this stuff is "2 deep 4 u" or some other excuse that this album is only made for hipsters, I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone would enjoy this. I painfully listened to this album through and through a number of times, and I discovered no redeeming quality of this atrocious album. By the time the seventh movement comes along, with each band member warbling like a dying pigeon, my ears have already been clamped shut in an attempt to shut out the noise. I beg of you reader - do not waste your money nor your time on this album unless you are: 1) a hipster who's lot in life is to go against the grain, or 2) a noise addict, or 3) don't actually have ears. Other than that, it's a no-go. 1- stars.

Once one gets past the fact that this album is noise-laden, psycho-avant, spontaneous improv, there is a strange sort of ambiance this album creates. I heavily enjoy even though it could be a soundtrack to an man having a surgical procedure minus anesthesia, that's almost why it's such a cool listen.

It's rapid, rabid and at times literally sounds insane but there truly is a cohesiveness that binds is all together and after you listen for awhile the structure becomes more apparent and this makes the music even more paradoxically entertaining.

Now, that's what I find when I listen to the album but I also like noise music. Many probably can't stomach this and that's understandable. Some get it, some don't. Doesn't mean you're a hipster or stereotype progger, it just means you either like or hate the music.

I happen to like it, a solid four-star for this wonderful debut album.