Hey guys, we're back from exams ready to kick off on the blog again. So to start off, I want you guys to focus on a more obscure band I found called Alpha Consumer. They use a very classic distorted grungy/garage band tone surrounding their music. They follow this template in their first two albums, "Alpha Consumer" and "Gary Victorsen's." Alpha Consumer's sound evolves which is most evident, of course, in their newest album "Kick Drugs Out of America."
In "Alpha Consumer" (2006) and "Gary Victorsen's,"(2007) the band maintains a heavy grungy sound that just flows. You could compare it to a progressing drone which you could play to distract your thoughts a bit. They offer great resolves in many songs, some reminding me of Porcupine Tree. Interestingly, Alpha Consumer wrote a folky song on each album, perhaps to feed listeners an interesting switch in the album's mood. Alpha Consumer opens both albums with their most powerful songs while keeping an up beat feel throughout the albums to the point where you have a good time just listening to them.
The latest album released, "Kick Drugs Out of America" (late 2010) presents their most successful works, and focuses their sound and style so that any sloppy structure is rectified in the album. It differs from their grungy songs and actually strays from pure garage songs to explore more calm and even poppy sounds mixed with a progressive instrumental song. I'll put down their most impressive grungy song on the album, Life Size Voodoo Doll. From there "Kick Drugs" mellows out with my favorite pieces on the album, Storms Coming and Yeah, Trouble, the latter which doesn't even use distortion.
I would love to see how Alpha Consumer advances their sound in their future because they are on the right track. If you're into grunge/garage give these guys a shot, give them love, buy an album, and check the out for upcoming shows when they get booked. Here are some songs:
KC Bound/So That's That - Gary Victorsen's
This one has an interesting Porcupine Tree sound
Storms Coming - Kick Drugs Out of America
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