Search - Parts & Labor :: Mapmaker

Solid

Mr. Thistle | Salt Lake City, UT | 07/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Parts & Labor construct hyper-kinetic, reverb soaked, major chord skyscrapers. There is something about the tracks Mapmakers, their second release on Jagjaguwar, that feels like they are being broadcast from the top of the Empire State building. Each track is a towering anthem with snowballing momentum. The core of this momentum is based in P&L's drumming. Continuously reaching insane speeds that are only rivaled by the Hella's and Lighting Bolt's of the drumming universe. However, instead of pounding a hole in your chest, P&L's drum clatter creates a furious wall supporting a wash of static dipped guitars amped to 12. I think the most descriptive word here is energy. Parts & Labor seem to contain boundless energy to propel their endless guitar riffs sailing into oblivion. The only reservation I do have is with the vocals. While they don't necessarily detract anything the vocals do not lay any new or interesting ground that could push a talented band like Parts & Labor into a consistently memorable one. Reservations aside, July seems like the perfect time to buy some fireworks and blast Parts & Labor."

Best played with the volume on 11

Icarus Falls | Everywhere, U.S.A. | 08/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw these guys live, and I was an instant fan after the first song. First of all, they cannot possibly be labeled because they go above categories like punk or electronica. Parts & Labor mix elements of everything that is great about loud music. I find it amazing how a band can take what is seemingly just noise, and turn it into a beautiful, melodic piece of art. I would love to compare them to another band so that someone who has never heard them can at least get an idea, but there is really no one to compare them to. The samples posted here are pretty indicitive of what you'll get from this album. Most people who like punk/emo or experimental/progressive rock should find this enjoyable. (You can find this CD cheaper on their website: partsandlabor.net)"