Boilerman
Feel Ways About Stuff
(86’d Records)
Though Chicago’s Boilerman have already built somewhat of a name for themselves since 2010 with four EPs, an LP and a handful of other releases under their belt—not to mention their extensive touring across North America—they have not quite reached household level of recognition. All that could change with their sophomore LP Feel Ways About Stuff.
The first few tracks on Stuff knock out boisterous, but workmanlike melodic Hardcore Punk with the right amount of snot to be menacing without belying their Pop-Rock influences. The opening “Teeter Totter” whips out a rattling, snarling, mostly straight forward Punk song with 80s Hardcore vibes in line with Die Kreuzen or Articles of Faith. This harder, angrier side of Boilerman builds up, girded by barbed riffs, to the fantastic mid-song break of “Apophasis.”
As in the past though, Boilerman are at their best when they reign back from the full-tilt Punk sound that dominates the first half of the record and focus on melodic riffs and a slightly slower pace. The emotive climax of “Waste” is stellar, “Illusory Intent” is noisy and stompy in the best way and the final track on Stuff is a fun, endearingly faithful rendition of The Mice’ “Not Proud of the USA.” Boilerman clearly put their best effort into everything here, but unfortunately a few of the hooks just don’t catch and some of the bark just doesn’t bite hard enough. (Dylan Hensley)
Purchase Feel Ways About Stuff here.
