Albums by this artist

Anaesthetic (2001)

Milemarker

Anaesthetic

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» A.K. GOLD | STAFF WRITER

Milemarker Anaesthetic Jade Tree, 2001 RiYL: Siouxie Sioux, Sleepytime Trio

While some have written off Milemarker's new sound as "too Siouxie and the Banshees," I contend that it's pretty rad. The first effort from the band since they moved to Chicago and changed labels, Anaesthetic finds Milemarker shifting their focus from solely hardcore to some bizarre synthesis of hardcore and new wave. The album opening "Shrink To Fit" is a danceable, synth-laden track which showcases the band's three vocalists-guitarist Dave Laney, bassist/keyboardist Al Burian and keyboardist Roby Newton.

Newton's vocals don't sound like other chick singers, blending a gut-deep ferocity with an expansive emotional and vocal range. The results are capable of making you want to attend a house of worship ("Food For Worms") or break shit ("Installment Plan"). In fact, Newton's singing so overshadows that of her male counterparts that the one song featuring only Burian and Laney's vocals, "The Fear Is Back In Town," is the only of the record's seven tracks that falls flat. Despite this shortcoming, the expansive, more angular pop arrangements that fill Anaesthetic work to create a cohesive and engaging post-punk whole.

A.K. GOLD | A.K. Gold lives in Washington, D.C., where she slaves away for a non-profit organization and constantly compares everything to New York City or Chicago. She's earned her "cred" as a college radio and pre-1960 country music DJ, committed indie label street teamer, sporadic zinemaker/contributor, retired mail-order filler and occasional freelance writer. From time to time, she publishes Anecdotal Evidence, a per zine that will some day be considered for the National Book Award, or possibly not. If you want to buy a copy, or desire to write to her for some other reason, email criticgirl@hotmail.com.