Action Potential,
Left Side BrainUnfortunately this is a review that will be based (initially, at least) on the utter gash that some press releases print. The pr for LSB is a prime example. Describing Action Potential as ‘bruising’ and ‘belligerent’ smacks of someone who just gained access to My First Thesaurus and didn’t really put much thought into what they were writing. This album is about as belligerent as Mother Teresa. And she’s dead. After a few choice quotes from the mainstream press (who seemed to get all of their reviews wrong), the pr descends into slagging off populist emo and even makes reference to black fringes. I’d laugh. If it were funny. Or the accompaniment of an album less vapid. Apparently: “LSB’s philosophy has always been to serve up the kind of riotous riff and melody bombardment that leaves you reeling.” I am reeling, yes. Reeling that bands like this apparently represent ‘hope for the UK underground scene.’
Oh, and the comparison to Helmet is unnecessary name-dropping shit. They sound nothing alike. Listen to Betty, then listen to Action Potential. Realise the mistake and never write pr again.
Anyway, the album is the kind of dull-arse repeto-rock that would be ideal as elevator music. It’s there, it certainly makes some kind of sound, but it’s damn easy to ignore and move on to something that provokes a reaction from the listener (like the aforementioned Helmet, or also-namedropped Therapy?). One word on the pr that I can get on board with, however, is included: dreary.
www.leftsidebrain.com
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