Deep Fantasy

Description

Resilient and hard hitting rock 'n' roll outfit White Lung are set to release their third album 'Deep Fantasy' via Domino. The band is every bit as confrontational as before but they've managed to open their sound up just enough to draw listeners in before kicking them in the face (in a good way). 'Deep Fantasy' was made primarily in Vancouver with producer Jesse Gander (who did both 'Sorry' and their 2010 debut 'It's The Evil') in just two, ten day-long sessions at the end of last year and the start of this one. Vocalist Mish Way is more provocative and melodic than ever on 'Deep Fantasy', surveying lyrically addiction ('Drown With The Monster'), body dysmorphia ('Snake Jaw') and sexual dynamics ('Down It Goes'). Review: Fast, nasty punk, with a twist. - Based on the first three listens, I'm enjoying this album a lot. It has a fast pace, burning aggression, and a touch of melody, all things I love in a punk album, but it does more. The guitar work is really interesting; I've heard some thrash metal comparisons, which ring true, and personally hear a lot of similarity to East Bay Ray's surf-influenced work in the Dead Kennedys (as well as some of his more experimental moments, like the opening to Holiday in Cambodia), but it goes beyond, epic and ominous as well as fast and nasty. The whole record is kind of doing with surf-punk what Torche's Harmonicraft did with sludge/stoner metal, in its bringing of an indie rock sensibility to an unlikely form of music, and it actually working really well. The excellent guitar work combined with a driving rhythm section and Mish Way's seething vocals, it's an excellent package. The production is also excellent, bringing out that aforementioned epic and ominous feel without sacrificing the anger. My favourite tracks are 'Drown With the Monster' and 'In Your Home'.