Time was every town had a band like Snailbones. Noisy, allergic to melody and vaguely propulsive. The touchstone for all of these bands was Jesus Lizard, but no one did this sound better (and meaner) than Dazzling Killmen. Seems like there was an album like this coming out every week or so back in 1994.

Snailbones Keelhaul 'Em All (self-released)

Snailbones are definitely more on the indie rock side of the sound, a more disjointed (and less melodic) Treepeople. That's a more fitting reference for this Portland (Ore.) outfit. You might have noticed just how far in the past I'm reaching. There are not many modern comps.

Not many people want to sound like this, and even fewer try. Back in the mid-90s, Snailbones might have gotten lost in the shuffle. These days, they're trailblazers. And they write songs that move along with a stately churn, playing them with furious intensity. As a trio, the sound is somewhat more sparse than their predecessors, but it's plenty aggressive.

And then there is "Slave to Hate," which does sound like a Jesus Lizard outtake. It's raucous, fuzzy and punchy as hell. The vocals are screamed, yowled and generally mangled--all with a bass line that drives the whole thing right through a ditch without a hitch. Goddamn.

A throwback, to be sure, but there are some modern touches. The sound is raw, but it's still top-notch. The songwriting is also informed by other northwest coast punkers like Bikini Kill. As this sucker bludgeons me into submission, I feel thirty years younger. The pain brings so much pleasure.

Jon Worley