ANT ZINE | Record Review
Girls Against Boys
You Can't Fight What You Can't See
Jade Tree Records
Much of the backlash Girls Against Boys received following their major label debut Freak*on*ica was as blistering and searing as their bass-heavy rock sound. However, I liked that record; it flew out the speakers like a bullet and got your ass moving. While it did trade in their trademark rumbling, abrasive features for an electronic-kissed sheen, it still sounded 93% better than any other hard rock band at the time. Turns out, though, that even GVSB themselves pretty much disowned it, chalking up its glossy Garbage-on-steroids romp to the overarching influence of Geffen (its label) and the producer they were hooked up with.
After a couple years spent untangling themselves from Geffen, the stylish boys of GVSB are back on an indie label (the increasingly eclectic Jade Tree), back with a record that should satisfy those alienated by Freak*on*ica. You Can�t Fight What You Can�t See is a lethal 70/30 combination of classic GVSB and the electro-pop stylings that rubbed off on them while schlepping it with the major label ilk. Instead of dominating the songs like on Freak*on*ica, the pop sensibility plays a far lesser (but important) roll: heard in a chorus here, informing the guitar parts there, while the low-slung throb of their pre-Freak days is, once again, large and in charge.
Sounding rejuvenated and energetic, GVSB kick starts their sixth record with Scott McCloud�s trademark raspy "oh, oh" and a thumping rhythm section on "Basstation." "All The Rage" burns with a compelling riff and explodes into a huge chorus. Spun with McCloud�s fractured, catch-phrase non-sequiturs � that still sound like they�re inspired by billboards and neon-lit Times Square advertisements (that�s a compliment!) � this one-two punch lets you know that GVSB is back, so step out of the way motherfucker.
The mid-section of the record hits just as hard, with the mix of dual bass (Johnny Temple and Eli Janney), keyboards (Janney), kinetic drumming (Alexis Fleisig) and low-end guitar (McCloud) swirling, groping, and pummeling equally as McCloud�s voice shifts from sinister to breathy seduction. In a fair world, "Kicking the Lights" would rock the kids from coast to coast with its loopy bass and guitar lines, hip phrases ("Do it �til your heart hurts") and anthemic chorus. Instead, hard rock bands with half the chops or innovation rule people�s ears. Sad. The record cools nicely at the end with the delicate "Let It Breathe," which should be a perfect reprieve during their live shows; a time when the crowd � and the band � can calm it down, wipe the sweat from their eyes, slow the adrenaline rush, and take a breath.
If you�ve written GVSB off after Freak*on*ica, you might want to give them another try. They went through the major label grinder, but they�ve survived � they won the fight� and judging by the wicked sounds of You Can't Fight What You Can�t See, they are the better for it.
-Doug Sell
Review at ANT ZINE