April 15, 2014

General Lee - Raiders of the Evil Eye

Written by Natalie Zina Walschots. Originally published here by Exclaim.

Artwork by Sinpiggyhead

While France might not be particularly well known for its post-hardcore, they have assembled one extremely fine export in General Lee. Their third full-length, Raiders of the Evil Eye, is a passionate, possessive record that goes for the throat from its opening seconds. The focus is unquestionably on the triumvirate of guitars that provide both the engine and texture of General Lee's sound, the disparate tones woven together in a dense, reverberating braid, swooping around each other in counterpoint or drawing tightly together to cinch a sonic knot.

Raiders of the Evil Eye isn't just about manhandling the listener, however; it doesn't just want to take, it wants you to give in. There is a pleading element to "Medusa Howls with the Wolves" that walks the line between begging and coercion, often swinging back and forth between the two. "Alone With Everybody" is the highlight; it's a powerful melancholy track that relies on the echoing distance of the relatively sparse drumming and palpable yearning in the strings to draw the listener in. This is a late-flowering gem.


[Go to the post to view the Bandcamp player]


For vinyl (and a slightly cheaper digital download) go to the Play the Assassin Bandcamp.

3 comments:
  1. I've had this one for a while, but this post reminded me of what an awesome jam it is. I guess I need a website dedicated to reminding me of the cool music I already have.

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    Replies
    1. Too much music, too little time to hear it.

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  2. Still listening to this all these years later. My favourite album of theirs by far. From start to finish it's an absolute gem.

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