Charlottefield - What Are Friends For
[FatCat]

Not your average FatCat band, Brighton four-piece Charlottefield recorded this, their second album, in the space of just a week. Given that, “What Are Friends For” is remarkably focused, recalling the DIY spirit of DC hardcore and the UK’s very own post-punk legends Bob Tilton.

Charlottefield’s sound is fraught, energetic and often chaotic, but is anchored by robust, complex drum patterns and thick bass grooves. The duel guitars slice through each of the eight tracks on this record like rusted razorblades. The circular arrangement on “Snakes” is particularly inventive and the quartet’s interesting tunings play a major part in keeping interest levels up.

Opener “Beatings” takes all of four seconds to deliver its first blow starting with a typically agitated drum intro and ominous sounding bass rumble. However, the band excels towards the end of this track, amassing a vitriolic tunnel of sound, while the see-sawing guitars seem in danger of breaking free completely.

Frontman Thomas House, meanwhile, provides concrete evidence of his vocal prowess, sounding like a young, angry and forthright Ian MacKaye on both “Late Repeat” and “Pacifically”. His acerbic delivery, although initially intrusive, begins to take an intoxicating hold with regular listens. While, on other occasions (noticeably “Backwards” and “Threes”) his presence stalks through like a suitably manic David Yow.

With a sound borne out of their relentless touring of the UK’s toilet venues, Charlottefield’s irregular arrangements are impeccably tight, the dueling guitars weave acidic textures over focused and, at times, jazz-tinged percussion. “What Are Friends For” is the mark of a band beginning to outgrow earlier comparisons.

What Are Friends For Track Listing:

1. Beatings
2. Late Repeat
3. Wrong On Purpose
4. Pacifically
5. Snakes
6. Broken Bell
7. Threes
8. Backwards