Capsul

Shifting to a new American label didn't really change anything about the band — same three people, same fine abilities — but the slight change to a more straightforward musical approach, first evident on Wammo, picks up steam here. Parker's vocals take even more of a turn for the personal, while musically, Capsul sounds like a series of straight takes. The opening song, "Shield," suffers a bit in comparison with Wammo; it sounds like something a lot of different bands could have done, if not quite as well as Bailter Space themselves. "Pass It Up," a classic Parker rant, puts things back on track. Hearing Parker's odd guitar motif buried in the mix behind the smash and crash of the band makes for a fine, disorienting song, as does Halvorsen and McLachlan's terrific rhythm work. The latter's drumming in particular is a masterpiece of restrained power — complex but never overbearing. Overall, Capsul succeeds a little more thoroughly than Wammo, because the trio manage to integrate their new, direct approach more effectively. Parker tries on a couple of different vocal guises at points; on "Sola," his voice cracks with a sneer that evokes J. Mascis. Musically, Capsul creates fine work in a variety of ways. "Tag," with its alternately gentle/strong verse and roaring chorus, is especially worthy of singling out. "Velo" fits in the tradition of great all-out Bailter ragers, showing that time certainly hasn't dimmed the band's fire, while "Argonaut" is a particularly lovely instrumental.