Albums by this artist

Lula Divinia (1997)

Shiner

Lula Divinia

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» JONATHAN COHEN | SENIOR EDITOR

Shiner Lula Divinia Desoto/Hit It!, 1997 RiYL: Jawbox, Fugazi, Roadside Monument, Chavez, Burning Airlines

Kansas City's Shiner fashions a bruising sonic game plan on Lula Divinia that begrudgingly resembles the electricity of Jawbox and the irresistible stranglehold of Fugazi. But unlike its somewhat stubborn predecessors, the band hasn't neglected to experiment with pop hooks, loopy time signatures or elements of cross-genre accessibility.

The result is a fresh and purely satisfying record with the power to mutilate the wimpy posturings of "alternative" rock in a single bout. The oft-changing tempo and impenetrable bass groove of "Shelflife" is the soundtrack to your pitiful existence, chasing you and your loser friends down a dark alley. "Jim's Lament" corners you there, warping your brain with relentless, schizoid rock and incalculable chord changes.

Lula Divinia takes no prisoners, for sure. "Cake" is driven by the flailing drum work of Tim Dow, while singer Allen Epley bares his soul for our examination on the stomping "Sideways." The track blends effortlessly into the exquisite foundational riff of "Pinned." "Third Gear Scratch" swaggers with authority on the strength of a descending guitar riff reminiscent of Jawbox's For Your Own Special Sweetheart album.

If hardcore is comatose, Shiner is the miracle medicine. Get your IVs ready.

JONATHAN COHEN | Jonathan Cohen co-created Nude As The News with his Indiana University mates Troy Carpenter and Ben French. When not traversing the globe for business and pleasure, he holds down the fort as a senior editor for Billboard in New York. Stop him and he just may ask, "what for lunch?"