Search - Erase Errata :: Nightlife

New Wave of No Wave Grrrls Get Their Groove On

Scott Bresinger | New York, USA | 08/01/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's been a few years since Erase Errata's last album, "At Crystal Palace," was released, and in that time the band has changed their personel somewhat (guitarist Sara Jaffe has departed for grad school). Fortunately, their spiky, fiery post-punk hasn't changed, but (can ya believe it) "matured." Now when I say that I don't mean "got soft," but now they've learned how to get their groove on. Whereas on their previous LP's the rhythm section of Bianca Sparta (drums) and Ellie Erickson (bass) stayed true to their intitial inspiration, the "No Wave" scene of the late 70's, here they're adding in danceable ryhthms that other post-punkers dabbled in (Gang Of Four, say). Yeah yeah yeah, you say, so has every other hipster band in New York these days--big freakin' deal. Ah, but the guitars of Jenny Hoyston are simply in a much higher league than say, the Rapture or Radio 4. While she still likes letting loose with a salvo of skronky noise, she can also effortlessly run off a bit of surf rock or even something in the realm of late jazz giant Sonny Sharrock. No, she doesn't approach the guitar nirvana that Sonic Youth has perfected, but she also doesn't try to copy them either. Some songs, like "Giant Hands," go for the kind of energy that Sleater-Kinney had early in their carreer. Many others recall the late, great Dog Faced Hermans (who?--you say--well, search out and buy anything of theirs you can--you won't be disappointed!).



Lyrically, Erase Errata still cling to the disjointed imagery all too common in indie rock, and a few songs offer some undercooked poitical commentary (from "Tax Dollar": "See us injure, see us steal/See us talking on about another kill"). These are minor quibbles in the long run, though, because the power of the music easily compensates. If you want to rock out, but you also want a bit of an experimental edge, then "Nightlife" is this year's best bet. Erase Errata are way more punk then all those MTV-approved brats and whiners, and way smarter as well. This is the kind of thing that'll get me dancing around the house in my underwear--okay, that's a very disturbing image, but it'll be worth it when you hear this."