Icarus Line

Buddyhead protégés the Icarus Line are best known as the band that messed with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s priceless guitar at SXSE a couple years back, but that should easily be outshined by their second full-length, Penance Soirée. Now signed to V2, this L.A.-based band with the mighty bark can now show off their bite by refusing to succumb to bigwig pressure, delivering what will certainly be one of the year’s most uncompromising and rousing records. Singer Joe Cardamone has the power to tap into Iggy’s savage howls, while keeping a youthful composure and sounding half-baked a lot of the time. He’s supported by a band that tortures music with stacks of feedback and drone, reeking of Spacemen 3 and Melvins reverence. Yet, like their past tour-mates Primal Scream, there’s no way to tell what direction the Icarus Line are heading in. "Meatmaker” is chaotic electro-punk that gives Suicide a run for their money, while "On The Lash” conjures up trouble in the proportions of the Stooges’ Fun House. The album winds up with its greatest moment, the nearly affable "Party The Baby Off.” Immersed in a heavy shot of glam rock, the strong request to "take off all of your clothes” is a difficult one to refuse, especially when the ride is as thrilling as this.