Attack On Memory

Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings make the transition from one-man studio project to full-fledged rock group on the ferocious and exhilarating Attack on Memory. In the process, leader Dylan Baldi and his bandmates manage to cross Nirvana’s volcanic angst with Sonic Youth’s abrasive minimalism as they churn their way through this bracing set. Baldi confronts the nihilism coursing through his lyrics with a bratty sort of defiance—his raw-throated vocals mix torment with perverse delight. Bashing drums and howling guitars pound home the raging frustration within “No Sentiment,” “Our Plans," and “Stay Useless.” “Wasted Days” is an eight-minute explosion of merciless throb and thrash worthy of The Velvet Underground. Behind these tunes' lethal thrust is a surprising grasp of song structure and dynamics, lifting the music beyond routine punk spew into something more rarified. Legendary producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Pixies) does a superlative job at documenting Cloud Nothings’ live sound in the studio.