The Megaphonic Thrift

Just as Bergen, Norway four-piece the Megaphonic Thrift were about to record their debut, a fire destroyed their equipment, including a slew of custom pedals and guitars specifically set to unique tunings. It may be the power of suggestion, but Decay Decoy comes off sounding hastily conceived and executed. After hearing the chugging, anaemic guitars of "Talks Like a Weed King," the throw-off vocal style of vocalist Richard Myklebust on "Sister Joan" and the acne-spotted drum sound of "Candy Sin," it's easy to see what the Megaphonic Thrift are shooting for. Short answer: Daydream Nation-era Sonic Youth. Long answer: dynamic, but pragmatic, retro, but timeless. Unfortunately, Myklebust uses tracks like "You Saw the Silver Line" and "Dragon vs. Dust" to battle his band's churning guitar sound, hoping his slacker delivery will cut through. Decay Decoy leaves the listener with a mess of an album ― the type that chooses to "reuse and recycle" without the "reduce."