Rings - Black Habit
[Paw Tracks]

I'd started to wear-out my copy of the debut self-titled First Nation album when low and behold, the band return as the new-look Rings. Although notable attention failed to knock on their doors back in 2006, the Paw Tracks band are back for their second run (only with a lost member, a new addition and finally a swift name change).

It can get worrying when one your favourite bands changes line-up and whatnot, in case a change of direction also comes hand-in-hand with their new look, but it's great to hear Rings have kept their organic "live" sound and the brutal, primal recording is rawer than sushi. Kristin Anna Valtysdottir (of the band Mum) steps in as producer and none of the rawness is lost.

Straying away from traditional song-structures, everything is instead, built-up in layers of spirallic loops. We have overlapping helium vocals as though Joe Meek's Green Men have returned from their New World, the drums sound like a child is beating the crap out of their kit with a mallet and with the addition of piano in parts, coupled with the band's love of driving rhythms, these three make the kind of Kraut-infused jams Electrelane have consistently attempted, but failed to ever get right.

Still it's the authentic "live" aspect that keeps coming back to me and this has been nailed so perfectly, it's as though they are performing in the room in front of you. It's a shame punk bands fail to catch this same feel in the studio. Rings fit into the Paw Tracks aesthetic perfectly; ie expected the unexpected. Black Habit is an well worth investing in - I just hope more than a few dozen people get to hear the record.

Black Habit Track Listing:

1. Allright Peace
2. Mom Dance (Free MP3 here)
3. Is He Handsome
4. Scape Aside
5. Double Thanks
6. You Remind Me
7. Tone Poem
8. Teepee