Rabbits – Lower Forms (2011) [Relapse] // Grade: D

While I wouldn’t consider Rabbits’ sound “hardcore” by any means, I will give them and their low-fi, noise sound a nod to the genre. Sure, there are elements of early Converge and maybe even some Daughters in there but these guys are clearly gunning for the demented, northwestern low-fi deranged sound, a la Burning Witch. The only difference is, Portland ain’t Seattle and Sethro ain’t no Edgy on the vox.

When I first heard about Lower Forms, I was hoping it would live up to the Relapse hype machine. Does it? Well, not based on my expectations, or shall I say preconceptions. It’s arrogant, annoying and yes, overhyped. But maybe it’s just my preconceptions that ruined the first rotation for me? In all fairness, I’ve tried to rotate this album every which way and it still screams “meh.” With that sigh of indifference, I’d love to conclude this review but I’ve found some of the nuances to be charming.

I like the opening track, “Rot” Like the name implies, it’s a festering, stewing pit of decay. Withered and emotionally-charged, filled with heavy distortion and noise. Right up my alley right? Sure. While I like the opener, the rest of the cuts are like slices to the wrists. “No Depth” sucks and “Weight Here” sounds like early Liars. Quick drum lines, distortion and that god-damned dance punk vocal spike at the end of each line. I hate that shit. “The Flow Below” begins nicely with a heavy layer of percussions and some riffage overlay. The Edgy side is back but then “Invisibugs” makes me want to drive spikes into my eyes and ears. Fuck it, just about every orifice needs to be plugged as the vocals decay into a major annoyance.

It’s hard to nail down another good track. With “Duck, the Pigs” being one of the last saving graces of the album. “Noise to Share” and “We Beat” are mediocre at best and “A Tale of Tales” sounds like a fucking joke. I was mildly impressed with “Burn, Sun, Burn,” the last cut on Lower Forms but let me emphasize mildly. It sucks to be left with a taste of indifference after engaging in a hyped up album but I’ll leave it at the fact that Portland just doesn’t churn out good music. Stick to coffee guys. Leave the music for other cities.

- Prolly