While the Boston area is a well-known hub of all things sonic, the surrounding sections of Massachusetts are more prone to slow times and allowing all that is weird to gestate and thrive. Up route 9 from the capital can be found a town called Amherst, home to one half rural escapism and one half college party capital of the Commonwealth. This small town has produced its share of recognizable bands, including scremo pioneers Orchid, hardcore heroes Deep Wound, and of course alternative royalty The Pixies. Now, coming from the weird and wild west is one-man-band The Suitcase Junket, Matt Lorenz’s country/noise infused push into the Bay State music scene.
The latest release from Lorenz’s project is a ten song full length entitled Knock it Down, a quick, haunting, experimental jaunt through folk song structure, feedback gimmicks, slide guitar and dirty south distortion. In a schizophrenic cacophony, the songs trade between slow and somber folk to Muddy Water distortion latent blues. The album’s subject matter is lonely and medicated with hints of grungy undertones. Bone is a stand out single that pulls from the Nick Cave school of folk rock. Knock it Down is defiantly good company for misery and should be checked out for a mood music collection.
–Anthony Geehan