Parts & Labor's 'Mapmaker'

Abrasive noise-rock for the masses

Comments (0) By Michael D. Ayers Tuesday, May 22 2007

Brooklyn's Parts and Labor make rock music, but in an unconventional way. They rely on wickedly fast and tight drums (courtesy of occasional Voicescribe Christopher R. Weingarten), laser-taggish drones, violent feedback, and some pretty sick guitar riffs—they're geeks on speed, in other words. Last year's Stay Afraid was weird and abrasive and loud, but Mapmaker, though clearly related, seems a bit more accessible, and in an era where "art-rock" is getting much more attention, this isn't a bad thing at all. While the trio's latest never feels like a conscious bite at anything commercial, there's an undeniable get-in-your-head aggression to "Vision of Repair," while the noodly guitars on "New Crimes" should rock the face off anyone with a pulse. A few years ago, the Secret Machines broke through with a loud, droney assault, but lamed out soon thereafter. Good thing, though, as that means the time is ripe for a new breed of art-jam-noise purveyors who could easily resonate with average bros drinkin' Buds with their buds. Mapmaker makes for an excellent audition.